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With the weather forecast looking good it was yet another early start to the day for the team. After the morning meeting there was hope that we could squeeze 3 possibly 4 flights in for the day. With this in mind everybody headed to their assigned areas to begin work for the day. At 07:53 the helicopters headed off from the ship armed with a load of food for Mawson. As the morning progressed it became apparent that we had low cloud approaching the vessel that once again would impact on the surface and horizon definition. By mid-morning the call had been made that this would be the one and only sortie for the day.
At 09:48 the helicopters landed on the MPV Everest, signalling the conclusion of the Mawson Resupply. The Helicopter Resources Team then went about deblading and preparing the helicopters for moving and securing in their container hangers, ready for the northbound transit. As the helicopters were being prepared the Deputy Voyage Leader and Voyage Resupply Coordinator, along with a crew of helpers, began the final stowing and securing of cargo in containers. At the same time the Everest deck crew began securing containers and items on deck in preparation for departure. With the helicopters all tucked up in their containers, it was time to move the barges from their position on high, back to the deck to be secured for our transit north. By mid-afternoon the ship had commenced it passage through the ice, and we bid farewell to the icy continent and the Wintering team at Mawson. It has been a great team effort to undertake this challenging logistical task. At the end of the operations we have moved around 22.6 MT of cargo ashore to the team at Mawson, whom we wish all the best for the coming winter.
Today we also said farewell to two departed expeditioners in a ceremony lead by the outgoing Mawson Station Leader. These personnel were part of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions in the late 1960's. It was therefore fitting that we bid them farewell, scattering their ashes in the Antarctic pack ice, a location which had been of great importance in both their lives.
Tomorrow we continue our journey north making our way through the pack ice towards open water where we once again will be reacquainted with the swell of the Southern Ocean.
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.