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After several days of moderate but overcast conditions, the horizons cleared today as the Aurora makes the final run towards the Tasmanian coast ahead of our arrival in the Derwent River around midday on Sunday. While the temperature remained a cool 14 degrees, most expeditioners made the most of the sunny conditions to spend time on the upper decks watching the sea birds (including several larger Albatross), reading or exercising.
For those of us who've been 'round-trippers', it doesn't seem like too long ago that we were sailing slowly South along that same waterway, headed for Mawson and Davis stations across almost 3,000 nautical miles of open ocean. For those expeditioners returning from a summer or winter at the two continental Antarctic stations, the first sight of Tasmania's far South West coastline sometime early on Sunday morning will likely bring a little more excitement or emotion, as the close of several months to over a year living and working as part of a small, specialised community comes to a close.
The Australian Antarctic Division's Shipping section have been in contact with the vessel's Master and voyage management throughout the past few days, confirming arrangements for the vessel's berth, the clearance by Customs and disembarkation of the expeditioners and their baggage and this discharge of cargo. While the returning expeditioners are greeted by family, friends and colleagues ashore, the crew of the Aurora and the AAD Shipping team will continue working around the clock over the following 4-5 days to prepare the vessel for its next voyage V4 to sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island and the last station resupply of the 2017/18 season.
This evening, those aboard congratulated Mr John Webb, Summering plumber for Davis Station on his 75th birthday. John has been to Antarctica several times as a station tradesperson, a fairly clear indicator that he's never grown tired of the Antarctic environment, its wildlife, scenery and of course the people that also go a very long way to making life at one of Australia's stations an incredible experience. After a very hectic Summer at Davis Station supporting essential services to ensure priority science activities and critical operations could continue we wish John a well-earned break upon his return to Australia, and a very Happy Birthday from all of the expeditioners and crew!
The expeditioners presently aboard will commence packing most of their personal effects tomorrow, as well as assisting the vessel's crew to clean common areas in preparation for our arrival. Forecast conditions for the weekend in Hobart are generally fine, with some rain expected Saturday but largely clear for the Aurora's return on Sunday at 1400 hours.
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.