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Once again, the forecasts provided by the Bureau of Meteorology were spot on. Once again, the crew and expeditioners on board the Aurora, and their colleagues on Macquarie Island made the most of the excellent conditions to safely and efficiently transfer passengers and cargo between ship and shore.
By 0830hs this morning, the deck crew had manoeuvred both inflatable dinghy's (IRBs) into the water. Members of our watercraft team then conducted a quick survey of the landing beach and met with members of the station team who would be 'catching' the boats and assisting in the transfer of passengers and cargo. Shortly thereafter, ingoing members of the Macquarie Island summer team farewelled the Aurora and climbed down the ladder from the bunker door to be ferried across to their new home. Also going ashore were 2x representatives of the Australian Defence Force for a short survey of the landing areas in advance of the visit by HMAS Choules later this season. In return, the Aurora welcomed the first of several returning expeditioners to the ship for the onward voyage to Hobart.
Cargo operations were then commenced with the IRBs brought deftly aside the ship to receive bulker bags of general cargo, food and expeditioner baggage expertly manoeuvred by the ship's crew using the rear crane to both discharge and receive directly off the IRBs. Special mention must go to the French volunteers from the IPEV programme who assisted our team greatly in transferring the cargo up to the heli-deck.
By mid-morning, with cargo runs completed it was time to standby until the remaining station handovers and ADF survey were concluded, freeing the IRBs to be used to orientate those watercraft operators with less experience at Macquarie Isl and develop their familiarity with the landing areas and approaches. This 'down time' was also seized on to transfer our communications officer to shore – to enable her to inspect firsthand the communications infrastructure on station in order to inform her work back in Hobart.
By 1300hs with handovers and survey completed, we welcomed the last expeditioners on board. A muster followed and with all accounted for it was time to turn the ship for home.
Today, the voyage fulfilled the last of its operational objectives. In achieving that, acknowledgment must be made of the stellar forecasting services provided by the Bureau of Meteorology, who not only accurately called the good weather days with accuracy, but also those gale force conditions and storms that we were able to avoid, enabling us to be where we needed to, with the weather we needed. In making the most of the opportunities, every expeditioner and crew member on board the Aurora can this evening feel a sense of accomplishment, their efforts and general attitude having been exemplary throughout.
With Macquarie Island disappearing over the horizon, we thank the station team for their efforts today and wish Ivor and his team the very best for their summer.
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.