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Yesterday was 'Arrival Day'. Today is 'Day 1' of resupply operations at Macquarie Island. On a steady swell and 10 minute wind averages around 20kts, the operational day began (post weather forecasts, briefings and formal approvals), with the transfer by helicopters of expeditioners to station to spend a day ashore variously supporting biosecurity screening and undertaking project work. Shortly afterwards, 2x LARCs were alongside the ship, ready to receive cargo from the forward holds, capably conveyed to LARC by ship's deck crew.
Throughout the morning the Heli-Resources team undertook briefings and orientation flights with rangers from Tasmania's Parks and Wildlife Service and the AAD incoming station leader and Field Training Officer (FTO) with their outgoing equivalents. Whilst the weather held after lunch, members of the White Sparks film team boarded the helis and in the expert hands of Heli Resources, filmed the vessel and local area surrounds to capture resupply operations in a way likely not seen before.
By afternoon, the flow of cargo from ship to station was running smoothly as ship's crew and our watercraft team refined their processes, supplemented by additional sling loads flown by heli from cargo pre-positioned by ship's crew on the aft heli-deck. In the mid-afternoon, operations shifted to returning day trip expeditioners to the vessel, consolidating cargo and reviewing protocols for the coming days. All said and done, a very productive, safe and steady first day of operations.
Our thanks to everyone involved.
Where were we...? Deck 7. The Heli Deck. Once again at the central stairway. Aft of the forward cargo holds, deck 7 comprises of an outer ring of crew cabins port, starboard and 'athwart' ships. Whilst midships, a large proportion of Deck 7 is committed to the ship's medical facility. From the stairwell, a doglegged passage way leads you past the consulting room, ward and resuscitation area to a 2 bed 'ward'. Space on the right hand side of this passage way is devoted to a utility room and operating room. Beyond the medical facility nestled in the aft helicopter hangar sits our 2 Heli-Resources B3s, along with the LARCs, the workhorses of the operation. Beyond the heli hangar, the heli deck.
Today is Kat's birthday. This is her interview:
1. Name: Kat
2. Job: 'Steward'
3. Where from: 'Perth, grew up in the Pilbara'
4. Where To: V5 (round tripping)
5. Claim to Fame: 'Had so many but I'm going to go with my radio station days. I was in a competition called the 'Chain Gang' and we were chained together for 14 days and Today Tonight did a segment on us. I didn't win the comp but I a job with the radio station.
6. Why did you become an expeditioner?: 'Because I wanted to go to Antarctica and get paid for it'
7. Favourite thing about the RSV Nuyina: 'The people. I love the quality of everyone loving nature'
8. Favourite pastime on voyage: 'So hard, I would say just iceberg gazin'
9. Favourite piece of Antarctic kit: 'Seaperson's Jumper'
10. Voyage / Antarctic experience in one word: 'Epic'
11. Favourite V5 moment: 'Choosing the exact time of the first iceberg'
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.