Information
Comments
With improved visibility and a calm ocean, the ship has made good speed towards Davis today. Amidst a procession of icebergs, near and far, large and small, conical, tabular and 'other', the ship's crew and expeditioners have been treated to a series of whale sightings (humpbacks, we have on good authority). Between, and sometimes in the midst of briefings, planning sessions or books, many of us have been darting outside to catch with eye and camera, a sleek dark outline against the grey ocean, a distant plume of spray, fluke or song.
This evening, a misted ocean rises into an overcast sky casting multitudes of large snowflakes, onto outstretched hands and tongues, blanketing the outer decks.
With thanks to Pete for his perspective on shipboard preparations for the ingoing Macquarie Island team:
Incoming Macquarie Island Expeditioners are taking the opportunity to work up their emergency management teams, which includes the stations lay Surgical Assistants who provide support to the station Doctor in an emergency, the Station Fire Team who provide a fire fighting capability and the Search & Rescue (SAR) Team, who support the Field Training Officer in the event of a field SAR scenario.
Each of these positions is filled by volunteers from within the 21 strong Macquarie Island contingent, and without Expeditioners putting their hands up to fill these roles, the stations cannot safely function.
The last few days has seen a flurry of surgical hand cleaning practice, ropes, knots and pulley system training, fire team planning and emergency management briefs.
By getting stuck into this training on route, the incoming crew are giving themselves a head start for when they will take over responsibility for these important tasks, a few short days after their arrival.
Regards
James & Brendan
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.