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This afternoon finds us continuing our progress southwards towards Dumont d'Urville. Those amongst us afflicted by seasickness have been given some respite today with calmer conditions bringing some colour back to their cheeks and an appetite to their stomachs.
Having settled into the ship's rhythm many of those on board are now busily occupying themselves with projects. Whilst our planning for the DDU resupply operation continues, Rich, our resident field training officer has been collating the various skillsets and competencies of the AAD expeditioners to inform the development of a ship-based incident management team – able to deploy as required, in the unlikely event of an emergency.
Ably supported by our watercraft operators, Jeff, our refuelling assistant has, on behalf of researchers in Hobart, initiated a project to measure the temperature of the upper ocean using expendable bathythermographs (XBTs). This project is a continuation of data collection that has occurred aboard the L'Astrolabe yearly since 1993. Despite often unfavourable winds, 16 XBTs has thus far been successfully launched from the Aurora.
Another project imported from the L'Astrolabe is the monitoring of seabird populations by the IPEV expeditioner Karine. Based with the CEBC CNRS labs, Karine has been busily pacing the bridge, equipped with a stopwatch, data entry book, and a keen eye to record the sightings of seabirds from the bridge of the Aurora as we sail Southwards.
It is a wonderful to see the dedication of these expeditioners in maintaining the scientific traditions of the L'Astrolabe, here on the Aurora, with some earlier today being rewarded for their observational skills by the sight of several humpback whales.
Regards.
James and Leanne
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.