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Today, we are back on 2 engine operation, having deftly avoided several South and North Westerly fronts that would have hampered our progress. Our passage southward is naturally bringing a reduction in ambient temperature, and an increase in the diversity of birdlife around us.
Planning sessions are continuing aboard in relation to the Casey resupply operation. Members of the ship's crew have graciously offered to conduct small guided tours of the ship's Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and dive infrastructure which have been gratefully accepted by expeditioners.
The MPV Everest is an impressive vessel and operating platform. 145 metres long, with a 30 metre beam, the ship is - according to its owner - 'designed to meet the specific requirements for ice navigation and management / sailing astern, diving support, subsea construction, repair, lifting and installation, ROV operations, fire fighting [...], towing and response of emergency oil spill service'. To this diverse list of operating capabilities, all onboard are keen to prove its capacity to refuel and resupply continental Antarctic stations safely and efficiently.
The MPV Everest enters the Australian Antarctic Program this year following the retirement of the Aurora Australis, which ably served the program for decades as the tenacious workhorse of the Antarctic Division and a home away from home for generations of expeditioners and crew. For many of us, the Aurora will remain indelibly tied to our experience of Antarctica. With gratitude we bid her and her crew thanks and safe onward passage.
Some public readers will be curious to know more of the ship and its capabilities which we will be glad to provide in coming sitreps. Suffice to say we have been made very welcome by the crew whose professionalism and courtesy is commendable. We've enjoyed varied and well cooked meals, settled into comfortable cabins and well provisioned workspaces
For friends and family reading this at home, our current heading does impede the signal strength of the satellite providing us with network connectivity onboard the ship. In the coming days, with an anticipated change in heading we anticipate some improvements in our internet connectivity, particularly in relation to the social chat application 'whatsapp' which functions well when the connection is available.
Regards,
James, Jenn and Andy
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.