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Thankfully we have had calmer seas today and even sunshine.
Preparations for a return to Hobart are continuing both amongst ship's crew and the expeditioners, aided by the return of email services linking us to the outside world. Reports are being written, inventories revised and equipment packed away. Our ETA into Hobart is 0800hrs alongside Macquarie Wharf No. 4 on Friday 17 January 2020.
Those for whom the rough seas brought the insidious malaise of sea sickness have made a return to the mess with colour in their cheeks and a renewed appetite for the unfailingly good food provided us.
Our resident ANARE representative (Victor) has provided a great outline of his trip South (and back) on V2 which we provide below in full. Our thanks to Victor for his presence on board these past weeks, his preparedness to get stuck in and make the most of this time with the AAD, and his willingness to support the work.
From Victor:
'For many years, the Australian Antarctic Division has made available a berth on one of the round-trip voyages during a season to be occupied by a member of the ANARE Club.
This generous arrangement not only symbolises the good relationship which exists between the Club and the Division, it also gives our representative the chance of a lifetime to travel south and broaden their Antarctic experience; more importantly to recruit new Club members among the expeditioners on the voyage and the stations visited.
V2 to Casey Station 2019/20 has been a great success for the Club and for myself.
The objectives of my current expedition were to:
Promote the ANARE Club and recruit new members;
Conduct oral history interviews;
Provide current expeditioners the opportunity to procure ANARE club memorabilia;
Observer and photograph science and operational activities;
Undertake sightseeing, photograph wildlife and partake in life at Casey Station;
Assisting with resupply activities; and
Document my extraordinary experiences in the form of an ANARE Club blog.
From the time I arrived at the ship to now I have been included in everything that has been happening. From helping with ongoing science experiments on the ship to assisting with resupply activities. I have been afforded unlimited access to photograph the day to day life of Casey. Field trips to Wilkins Ski-way where I was able to photograph a DC 3 landing and assist with unloading of more supplies. Helping out by being ballast in the IRB during sea trials after some minor repairs had be carried out. Thanks to the skilled and very patient IRB crew, I was able to take pictures that I would not have otherwise been able to capture, making my trip South all the more memorable! A very big thank you to the AAD Voyage Management Team, Aurora Australis crew, the watercraft team and the expeditioners at Casey Station!
From myself and the ANARE Club I wish you a happy and prospers new year! And many more safe and successful expeditions to Antarctica!'
Regards,
James, Anthea, Gemma (& Victor)
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.