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Last evening at approximately 2230hs our refuel supervisor in conjunction with ship's crew turned off the tap to station. The precise amount conveyed to station is still subject to some reconciliation between station and ship final figures. What can be told, is that it is over the 1,000,000lt mark, that it is sufficient to sustain station function over the coming 12 months, and that it happens to represent a personal best for the refuel supervisor and his two assistants.
The weather and sea ice remained on best behaviour throughout the operation. For those on station and on the ship who know what conditions for resupply at Casey can be like this has been a little hard to believe. For that ice which did make it outside or around the boundaries created by the ice ropes, the crews on board the IRBs did a superb job catching and towing them, or manoeuvring the fuel line out of harms way.
After pumping concluded the line was 'pigged' and vented, ensuring that it was quite devoid of fuel prior to being disconnected and packed up. The pack up of the line itself was a very slick operation.. the crews of the IRBs disconnected the fuel line from its positional anchors and raised the anchor points and buoys up for retrieval whilst the barge, crewed by WCOs and the refuel team quickly wound the fuel line onto its reel and back into its box for stowing on the ship – all in the brilliant post-dusk-pre-dawn light.
Tens of station and ship's personnel have been involved in this refuel operation, the most critical priority objective of the voyage. Many moving parts, many briefings and inductions, many scrupulously adhered to checklists, and standard operating procedures. Many hours of preparation, 33 hours of actual pumping and 4 hours of pack down. Safe, efficient and a credit to all involved, it was the most fuel ever transferred to an Australian Antarctic research station in the history of the Australian Antarctic Division, and a PB for a refuelling supervisor whose focus and professionalism this week has been nothing short of remarkable.
This afternoon, after a well deserved rest period, the watercraft team, ship's crew and station personnel will be undertaking the first of three heavy lift cargo transfers required during this resupply. A Grove RT540E 23.6t crane is due to be itself craned over the side of the ship and transferred to the station's wharf when the tide is just right. Standby for details.
Regards,
James, Anthea & Gemma
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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.