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Yesterday was a busy day. At 0530hs having overnighted 5nm north of station, the RSV Nuyina slipped into anchorage southwest of O'Gorman Rocks approximately 900mts off station. With weather forecasts and observations provided through a collaboration between Bureau of Meteorology staff on ship, stations and in Hobart, and an operational plan confirmed with Davis station supervisors, we were – as of 0800hs – ready to get started. First action of the day was to receive a helicopter to the ship. Following the requisite toolbox meetings with deck crew, pilots from Heli-Res then commenced an exchange of temperature sensitive polar medical items before conveying cage pallets of cargo from station to ship underslung from the helicopters. At the same time, one of the ship's personnel tenders (PTT) was deployed to begin a regular cycle of ship to shore passenger transfers. By 1030hs, the sling load helicopter cargo operations were complete. One helicopter was rigged and sent forth to support the filming of the ship and local area surrounds using a 360o camera whilst the other undertook winch trials from the forward deck of the ship. These trials bedded down the process of sling loading cargo from the front of the ship between the Heli-Resources team and deck crew. It also necessitated the deployment of the 2x LARCs (Lighter, Amphibious Resupply Cargo vehicle) to leave the deck clear for winch trials. Our team of watercraft operators needed no encouragement to make good use of time on the water and over the course of several hours were able to give both LARCs a run, provide a platform for filming by the WSP team and visit station one last time. Throughout the afternoon, wind speed averages - as uncannily forecast – hovered at the 25kt mark, as the PTT continued to make its runs from ship to station and back again ferrying 61 expeditioners and crew to station for a brief tour of station. For many this was their first visit to Antarctica, and the culmination of years of hard work and patience. For others, it was an opportunity to stretch their legs and walk on solid ground in the fresh air – not an insignificant feat after many weeks aboard the vessel, and prior to that, in hotel quarantine. In this we were ably supported by volunteers from the Davis' outgoing team who were prepared to act as tour guides. By late afternoon, our entire contingent (including 18 new arrivals from Davis) had embarked the vessel. Two shiny red helicopters were securely stowed inside the ship's hangar and our LARCs lashed down on the forward deck. In one day, we had completed our operational objectives at Davis. Beyond this, we had tested the capability of the vessel to conduct concurrent watercraft and aviation operations, (including sling loaded cargo). All aspects of the operations will be scrutinised in the coming days aboard the vessel with lessons to be learnt and processes to be reviewed in advance of arriving at Macquarie Island. Our thanks to everyone involved in the day's activities. To those ashore at Davis, capably led by Dani K, to the team here aboard the vessel and our colleagues in the Bureau of Meteorology and AAD Kingston, our thanks.
Today, we awoke to mist, and open water. At the time of writing we are minutes away from retrieving a KOMBI mooring from the depths. More on this tomorrow.
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.