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After yesterday's successful reconnaissance flight the Master of the MPV Everest moved the ship hoping to decrease the distance between us and Mawson. Our position is now further west and our distance much the same at around 85 nautical miles. In the process of the ship moving into the ice we were treated to a beautiful sunset complete with dark icebergs set against a fiery red and orange sky.
Today we were again treated to ideal flying weather so we set ourselves an ambitious target of four sets of passenger flights for the day. If this were achieved we would have delivered all the ingoing Mawson Team. Our first passengers were ready to go and at 10:20 both helicopters departed the ship for station. Whilst the helicopters were in the air the team on board were clambering up and down the stairs herding expeditioners to weigh in for upcoming flights, and on the back deck, reorganising and preparing cargo for future flights, and playing musical instruments in the Heli departure lounge. The helicopters returned carrying loads of cabin baggage and unaccompanied personal effects.
By 14:50 we said good bye to our third set of Mawson expeditioners and the question on everyone's mind was – "Would we will we be able to squeeze a fourth flight in for the day?" As the helicopters departed Mawson for the ship the call came from the pilots that they were able and happy to do the fourth flight. The final three Mawson expeditioners were rounded up and assembled at the departure lounge where they donned their immersion suits. At 16:48 the helicopters departed the ship and bid farewell to the last of the ingoing Mawson Team. The helicopters returned to the ship loaded with more unaccompanied personal effects around 18:30 before shutting down for the evening. Today was a successful day with all on board assisting when required helping to achieve our ambitious plan.
The plan tomorrow is to start sending combined cargo loads of food and personal luggage into Mawson with backloads of Mawson cargo and our first passengers of the outgoing Mawson Team.
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.