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This morning as the winds eased once again, the ship returned to Newcomb Bay. Having spent the previous day working through a number of different scenarios, the morning forecast suggested refuel operations may be viable in the days ahead. Hedging our bets just a little, our intention was to conduct ice line deployments in the morning that would help safeguard an ice free (or at least reduced) corridor for the fuel line before commencing refuel preparations and some opportunistic cargo runs in the afternoon and evening. But the winds weren't done blowing.. and by the time conditions had settled to accommodate our teams of watercraft operators it was midday. Whilst passenger transfers continued as normal, cargo would have to wait as refuel preparations took precedence within the weather window available. By evening, our watercraft operators, supported by field training officers and ship's crew had installed all of the required ice lines, whilst Brad C and his team conducted briefings and station based preparations with those expeditioners rostered on for refuel operations.
We are now, thanks to the efforts of the boaties and refuel teams, in a good position to take advantage of what we hope to be benign conditions early tomorrow morning to commence the final stages of refuel preparations before the actual fuel pumping gets underway.
And yet, benign as the conditions were, with winds variable at <10kts after dinner and the bay like a millpond, a long stretch of fast ice formerly bound between Nicholson Island and the edge of station crept in front of the wharf, requiring the concerted effort of the boaties to clear. Even, and sometimes especially in these calm conditions at Casey there is plenty to keep the crews occupied.
Regards,
Voyage Management.
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.