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Another day of alarms set with a 4 at the start so that we're ready to go for refuelling should the swell and wind go to plan today. After yesterday's amazing weather surprise we were all keen but at the same time anxious to see what the swell would bring when we got enough light for a good look. The radio call came through from the beach – No. So again we went and had a quick second breakfast before heading back up to wait for the swell at the shore point go drop into safe parameters for operations to commence. It was almost surreal to be watching the waves break on the shore as the ship was surrounded by perfectly calm seas. Still a No at 0700, 0800, 0900, 1000. We were determined to wait as long as we could to start but the window was definitely almost closed. Regardless without safe conditions to start we would not be commencing refuelling.
Then came the radio call we had been waiting for. We had seen the swell around the ship shift a bit in this hour and sure enough the beach was finally ok for the IRBs. At 1100 we finally saw the first IRB pop out of the beach and the others followed along with the LARC – we were underway. The hose was set up, air tested and by 1330 fuel was flowing. Then the calculations began, flow rates, quantity and time estimates to complete the operation and get everyone and our assets back onboard were adjusted to give us the best chance of getting our minimum fuel quantity ashore. The late start was going to make this a challenge as we knew this was the last viable weather window for the coming week. We had reverted to the philosophical view that any fuel ashore was more useful that no fuel and so we continued to pump for as long as could while maintaining a safe and structured operation.
During the refuelling we moved as many expeditioners back to the vessel as possible and settled them and their bags in ready for the homeward journey. With only essential operational personal now ashore and out on the water we are solely focused on the final task of the voyage. Now we wait.
REGARDS: Nicki and Chris
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.