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This morning, a dark outline appeared on the port side bow horizon against the lightening sky. Approaching from the South West, Macquarie Island's distinctively stark topography loomed above us, capped by a bank of white cloud. By mid morning the ship was sailing North along its Eastern coastline before stopping at anchorage off Buckle's Bay. After weeks of wide blue nothing.. suddenly this expansive bank of green filled the view from the bridge and observation deck. Our anchorage lies opposite Macquarie Island station, which in one form or another has maintained a permanent if tenuous foothold upon a narrow isthmus since 1948.
Discovered in 1810 (with speculation of earlier Polynesian visitation noted), claimed for Britain, annexed to New South Wales and then transferred in 1890 to Tasmania which immediately and unsuccessfully attempted to transfer it to New Zealand, the Island's environmental conditions were considered too harsh to maintain a penal settlement. Too rugged for convicts.. not so, our hardy contingent of ingoing Macca expeditioners who this afternoon boarded a steady stream of helicopter flights off the ship to station to commence their year on island. Led by Pete P, this team have been with us since the pre-departure quarantine period in Hobart. Throughout this time, many in their number have been devout volunteers in the galley, undertook additional duties during operations in the Derwent and at Davis, arranged quiz nights, weddings, table tennis tournaments, administered routine biosecurity screenings and supported the shipboard community in ways seen and unseen. We thank them, and wish them a great year ahead.
With 46 expeditioners flown ashore this afternoon, Station Leader Derek and his team forged ahead with station inductions and briefings as the helicopters ferried cage pallets of operational gear to station by sling line. Our 10 watercraft operators took to the water like... water craft operators. Both LARCS deployed and within hours, after some routine maintenance and station prep, the entire team were back on the water in LARCS and IRBs. During this time they were able to test approaches to passenger transfers and cargo operations, not least in relation to positioning to receive cargo alongside when the ship is using dynamic positioning (DP). At one point this afternoon, fog blanketed the isthmus, delaying the last of the helicopter flights and offering a gentle reminder that this is a very dynamic place to try and do business in.
An arrival day afternoon of passenger runs, station inductions, maintenance and a little cargo has set us up well to commence operations in earnest tomorrow. Weather permitting.
Our regular programming of ship's tours and interviews will resume 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.