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Operational Summary:
* completed operations at Davis.
* transiting to whale mooring location.
Today the Aurora Australis departed its anchorage off the coast from Davis station after the successful completion of end of season activities, which saw an additional 52 expeditioners, priority cargo and samples returned the vessel before 2000 Davis time (midnight Hobart time / AEST).
Conditions were again fantastic for operations, with clear blue skies and clam seas remaining throughout the day. By mid-afternoon, the upper decks were closed and both of the B3 Squirrel helicopters, provided to support the Australian Antarctic Division's operations at Davis over the summer season, were safely aboard and shut down. Cargo transfers continued steadily between ship and shore between 0900 and 1900, with both the P&O crew aboard the Aurora Australis and the plant operators ashore working efficiently to see all of the priority cargo movements completed, enabling the vessel to lift anchor and depart on schedule.
Just as with the vessel's departure from Mawson station three days' earlier (although with considerably more personnel this time), expeditioners lined the upper decks to farewell Davis station - some taking photos, others talking to one another about the summer's activities – and some just content to watch as their Antarctic home for the last several months slowly faded from view. The remaining wintering expeditioners made their way out from the main accommodation building to say their goodbyes as the Aurora's master sounded the ship's horn, and the vessel picked its way North through iceberg alley towards open waters.
From the voyage management team aboard, sincere thanks to the considerable efforts made by all of those personnel ashore at Mawson and Davis stations, and particularly to all of those crew and voyage support personnel aboard, over the last several weeks to see all of the key objectives achieved, Mawson station successfully resupplied and Davis station end of season wrap-up completed. We also wish the Station Leader, Jason Ahrens, and the entire wintering crew at Davis, all the best for the coming Winter months.
We've got just one further task ahead of us before we return to Hobart the retrieval and deployment of whale moorings located relatively nearby to the Aurora's homeward track.
The ship has now cleared the largest of the bergs which ring the entrance to the bay adjacent to Davis station, and is making its way North in calm conditions under darkening skies, the last of the sunlight still highlighting several icebergs on the horizon. Just in case Barry the Southern Giant Petrel has decided to hang out at Davis a little bit longer we'll hopefully see you next year as well Bazz!
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.