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Last night the skies put on a display and those up late were treated to an aurora which danced its way across the night's sky.
This morning we woke to clear skies, it looked like a good day for flying. On the bridge a cast of thousands, okay maybe not thousands, gathered around the phone to receive the morning forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology team in Hobart. The outlook for the day was good so the Helicopter Resources Team set about preparing the helicopters for the reconnaissance flights.
Meanwhile a team of expeditioners, led by the Mawson chef, sorted through the refrigerated food container. The team of watercraft operators, Mawson and Davis teams unloaded the container, with the chef working out which food would be sent to Mawson and which food could be given to the galley crew to use before it spoiled. Needless to say the fresh produce was greeted with a big smile from the galley.
At 13:20 two helicopters departed the ship for Mawson on the reconnaissance flight with the Ship's Master, Voyage Leader, Senior Field Training Officer and Helicopter Engineer. After looking for possible leads the helicopters landed at Mawson where they acquired some of the Mawson chef's infamous sausage rolls and donuts before returning to the ship. It was then time to say farewell to four of our ingoing Wintering Mawson Team. At 16:36 they departed from the ship heading south to their new home.
The reconnaissance flight was successful and we have located a path that will decrease the flying distance between the ship and Mawson. Tomorrow we will continue to fly the ingoing team into Mawson, back loading the helicopters with cabin baggage and personnel effects of the outgoing Winterers.
REGARDS: Andy, Jenn and Lauren
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.