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Good evening folks.
Today the bridge echoed with the pop of another balloon, this time at the hands of our watercraft coordinator and his trusty boat knife. The last passengers have been welcomed aboard and with the exception of our onshore watercraft operators we have everyone on board.
This afternoon those new arrivals had to temporarily suspend their viewing of the 80's classic 'Top Gun' to view the various voyage briefings and safety videos required prior to us setting sail. Not quite the same compelling plotline, but superb cast and production values all the same if we do say so ourselves.
The transfer of RTA cargo from shore to the ship continued from 0800hs this morning until 2000hs this evening, leaving only a handful of containers to retrieve by the barge tomorrow morning. In the words of our DVL. 'Through the binoculars from the bridge, the laydown area at the wharf looks like a parking lot in Kingston on a Friday afternoon. One could almost imagine the tumbleweeds. Determined to leave no item of RTA behind, tomorrow we bring them into the warm embrace of the Aurora Australis and rock them gently (we hope gently) on their voyage home across the Southern Ocean'.
We look forward to the same accommodating weather forecast tomorrow, to a safe, efficient completion of the cargo operation, the quick pack up of a remaining ice line, and a very fond farewell to the Casey station team.. oh, and of course.. the return to the ship of our onshore watercraft operators – never leave home without them.
Regards,
James, Anthea and Gemma.
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.