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Good afternoon everyone,
Last night on a quiet bridge, the meteorological phenomenon of 'Kelvin-Helmholtz' clouds was spotted by Bharat, a keen eyed expeditioner. Thought to have inspired Van Gogh's 'starry night' painting, these wispy almost wavelike spiralling grey and orange clouds sat over station in the post-dusk, pre-dawn light.
This morning, another meteorological phenomenon greeted us – that of dense fog that hung suspended over the ridge line to the West of station before creeping down across Newcomb Bay, enveloping the ship and station, leaving clear the Northern horizon with its glass like sea and brilliant white icebergs. Anticipating the challenge this would pose for the IRBs and barge navigation, the search lights were turned on to increase its visibility. We needn't have done so. As the barge was being lowered, the fog began to thin and soon the radio towers of station were discernible against a grey sky.
The five remaining barge loads of RTA cargo were shortly thereafter conveyed to the ship, before the IRB team moved on to retrieve a remaining iceline – an artefact from refuelling, conduct passenger transfers between ship and station, whilst also chancing upon a leopard seal enjoying its breakfast penguin.
These passenger transfers included Casey Station Leader Ali who travelled with members of her team out to the ship to thank a gathering of ship's crew and expeditioners on board for their efforts over resupply. At the same time our own Deputy Voyage Leader Anthea, along with our refuelling supervisor Brad, Ship's Master Gerry, and Bosun Trent went ashore to farewell the station contingent at the wharf, and to thank them for their hard work.
To put this resupply into perspective, the various work groups on the ship, station and at Kingston have enabled, over a 12 consecutive day period,
630 tonnes of cargo be delivered, 516 tonnes retrieved and over 1,000,000lts of fuel and countless expeditioner transfers. For those who like numbers (like the station resupply coordinator), the ship has discharged 1241.7 cubic meters of cargo and is RTA'ing 1844.33 cubic meters.
And all within inconceivably benign weather conditions, rarely deviating from 'variable 10kts'.
By early afternoon with the assistance of a station crewed IRB, the ship's pilot ladder had been raised, bunker door sealed and guest line retrieved. A final radio call to station as the anchor was weighed, engines rumbling and we were off with the sounds of the ship's horn and the sight of many flares launching into the overcast sky.
It was only then that a light shower of snow begin to fall.
Regards,
James, Anthea & 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.