Information
Comments
Yesterday afternoon we set sail on the French vessel L'Astrolabe from Hobart bound for Macquarie Island. Our plan is to deliver 250,000 litres of SAB (Special Antarctic Blend) diesel, food, and other essential supplies to maintain the station until the next resupply in 12 months. We also have on board 16 expeditioners who will swap places with the 16 expeditioners who have been on the island since March 2020.
We are experiencing relatively calm seas with a nice gentle roll with all on board doing well.
Travelling to Macquarie Island is a short trip of around three days. This does not leave much time for briefings so the program started today with the Passenger Transfer Briefing. This provides the necessary information on the process of boarding watercraft safely. Tomorrow will be cargo and refuelling briefings.
On our way down the River Derwent we anchored off Ralphs Bay to undertake some preparations relating to the use of LARCS at Macquarie Island. It was great for the crew of the ship to see them in action and enabled the watercraft operators to work with the ship in deploying a guest line (rope that hangs on the side of the ship for the watercraft to tie up to). It also allowed the crew of the LARC to determine the best place to be positioned against the side of the ship for cargo operations and to board expeditioners for transfer ashore. A LARC is Land Amphibious Resupply Craft and resembles what some of us know as an 'Army Duck'.
REGARDS: Leanne and Anthea
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.