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Another day spent on the open ocean approaching our next destination (Macquarie Island). A lessening swell brought appetites back to many on the ship for the first time in days allowing many of the working groups on board to focus on the task at hand, final preparations for the transfer of people and cargo to the Macquarie Island station.
Safety briefings, inductions and planning sessions carried many of us through until the early afternoon, at which point it was time to climb the stairs to the ship's bridge to view the jagged outline of the Bishop and Clerk Islands. With binoculars it was possible to catch a glimpse of nesting seabirds huddled into their tenuous perches on the edge of a precipice to the white washed rocks below.
By early evening the dark outline of land could be seen, suspended between cold blue grey ocean and white cloud as we approached the South East coastline of Macquarie. For many old-hands on the ship this was a familiar site. To others amongst us, it our the first glimpse of the island that we have heard much about. A first impression..? the word 'pre-historic' comes to mind.
After dinner, a meeting of the expeditioners was held to outline tomorrow's schedule and to present those who had crossed the 60th for the first time with their King Neptune certificates. Amongst them, special acknowledgement was made of members of the French IPEV logistics team and our resident ice-pilot whose efforts prior to and during the voyage were so crucial to the success of the DDU resupply.
This evening we continue to stooge some 1.8kms off the cloud veiled coastline of the Island. Tomorrow, all things going to plan (and to forecasts), we hope to make the most of an indicated weather window to conduct our watercraft operations.
Regards
James & 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.