Information

Vessel:
Happy Dragon
Report (sitrep) ID:
20664
Universal time (UTC):
04:32
Australian time (AEST):
15:32
Position:
66° 9′ S, 109° 14′ E
Heading:
61
Speed:
5.0 kn
Distance in last 24 hours:
31 NM
Weather conditions:
Sunny. Winds SE 20 knots
Air temperature:
−2 °C
Sea conditions:
Slight
Sea temperature:
−1.5 °C

Comments

Just when it seems that life is a perpetual resupply, one finds themselves all of a sudden out in the open water, under blue skies, weaving between icebergs towards Hobart.
In the evening hours of yesterday, the final traverse sled, promptly followed by the very last pieces of RTA, left the Casey wharf. And while there were mixed feelings from Casey about sending out the trusty Mack truck, it was with great relief and satisfaction on both sides to know that after 28 days of be bewildered by unprecedented ice in Newcombe Bay and dodging strong East Antarctic winds, all 1200t of cargo has been discharged from the Happy Dragon and 570t loaded for return to Australia. It takes an enormous collective effort from station and ship to undertake a resupply of such a scale. We thank all those involved, both in Antarctica and back in Australia.
As we leave Casey to get back to "normal" station operations, we know that at least one person at station will wake tomorrow, look out across the waters only to see the big yellow ship has indeed departed, and feel a little bereft.

REGARDS: Anthea and Misty

Map

180° 170°W 160°W 150°W 140°W 130°W 120°W 110°W 100°W 90°W 80°W 70°W 60°W 50°W 40°W 30°W 20°W 10°W 30°E 40°E 50°E 60°E 70°E 80°E 90°E 100°E 110°E 120°E 130°E 140°E 150°E 160°E 170°E 80°S 70°S 60°S 50°S 40°S 30°S 20°S 10°S 0°N 10°N 20°N 30°N 40°N 50°N 60°N 70°N 80°N Casey Davis Mawson Macquarie Island Heard Island Fremantle Hobart

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.

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