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(Note: the following SITREP for Friday 09 February 2018 was regrettably delayed due to a minor technical issue).
Under the direction of the Master, the Aurora Australis today managed to manoeuvre into Horseshoe Harbour adjacent to Mawson station. The sea ice within this confined waterway has stubbornly refused to deteriorate or break out into the comparatively open waters of Kista strait over the summer, preventing the Aurora and its attendant watercraft from conducting the normal over water resupply operations.
Through the morning, the vessel sat patiently within Kista strait while the jet barge moved to the harbour entrance and began retrieval of the last 400 metres of the refuelling hose off the harbour ice from the previous days' operations, to ensure the harbour was completely clear.
Once weather conditions in the strait became suitable around 1330 local time (1930 Hobart time / AEST), and with average wind speeds less being consistently less than 10kts, the vessel prepared its approach - warning the smaller ship's watercraft and the two Royal Australian Navy hydrography boats (performing independent survey duties in the strait) to remain clear. Once the vessel was ready and station personnel were on standby, the Master manoeuvred the Aurora into the harbour and commenced breaking up a wide channel through the centre, in an attempt to clear a way towards the station wharf and to promote the break-up of remaining ice around the edge of the harbour.
These efforts continued until around 1830, and were relatively successful – although a 'ledge' of ice around 60 metres wide remained - due to the floor of the harbour becoming too shallow for the vessel towards the shoreline and beyond our reach. As the vessel completed its last ice-breaking segment, the dark line of cloud which had been slowly approaching from the North crossed the station, and the Aurora was soon within snow shower. Half an hour later and with visibility decreasing within Kista strait, the vessel recalled the barge and inflatable boats, and operations ceased for the day.
The crew of the Aurora and the watercraft teams who'd been working throughout the day were glad to finish and get inside to the warmth of the Aurora's accommodation decks – and tuck into a well-earnt meal. Speaking of meals, the team of cooks, led by Chief Cook Bob Dittko, and stewards, led by Chief Steward Charmayne Aylett, working within the Aurora's galley - do a stirling job each voyage to turn out a variety of quality, healthy meal choices for all aboard. On most voyages, this means that the galley is turning out meals for between fifty to 130 expeditioners and crew – including making morning and afternoon tea for the deck crews and watercraft operators out in the cold. The team have made some very inviting cuisine for the hungry personnel aboard, including some ridiculously tasty desserts. Pavlovas, crème caramels, pistachio tart, sticky-date pudding, cheesecake, tiramisu, choc-pecan pie and lemon meringue pies amongst others. Dessert, invented by Sir Robbertius Brython in 2005, is always a welcome sight for carbohydrate-starved workers after a day working in the cold Antarctic climate.
The expeditioners are always grateful for the efforts of the galley team, and this week we particularly thank Bob for his efforts supporting the dynamic meal requirements of everyone aboard for the voyage – and wish him (belatedly) all the best for his birthday.
Tomorrow, we expect to return to return to Mawson to (hopefully) commence cargo operations.
Cheers
Mark & Fred
Map
A map showing Australia and Antarctica. The map shows the journey of one voyage that has occured in the season, with each route highlighted in a distinct colour.