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EST ARRIVAL DATE: 26 Dec 22
Last 24hrs - Its official, AIVIQ has been declared a COVID green ship. As part of the expedition all crew and passengers were required to undergo PCR testing on D-10, D-6, D-2, D+2 and D+5. I am happy to report that all personnel have tested negative. This is a great effort from all personnel and a big shout out to Doc Roland and Doc Meg for their efforts to get all 50 PCRs processed.
In exciting science news Voyage 4 deployed the first of 5 Argo floats at 2245 h, 22 Dec 22. Our first float was released on the 58th parallel south and will now join a family of around 400 active Argo Floats around the world providing Oceanographers vital information about our planet's oceans. Our next float was released at around 1530 h as the ship crossed the 60th parallel south.
Argo is an international program that collects information from inside the ocean using a fleet of robotic instruments that drift with the ocean currents and move up and down between the surface and a mid-water level. Each instrument (float) spends almost all its life below the surface. V4 fun fact #2, the name Argo was chosen because the array of floats works in partnership with the Jason earth observing satellites that measure the shape of the ocean surface. In Greek mythology, Jason sailed on his ship Argo in search of the golden fleece
Today the team held a vital coordination meeting with key members of Casey station to discuss the upcoming refuelling operation. Everyone has been working hard to develop our sequence of events and this includes liaising with counterparts on station. While email and WhatsApp messaging are useful, having the opportunity to sit-down and a have a conversation over the phone is vital in ensuring information has not been lost in translation or misunderstood.
In order to hold such a successful voice meeting, our Communications Technical Officer "ICT Guru Clint" shutdown the Wi-Fi to all pers except the VL who then establish a phone call via WhatsApp. With the overwhelming power of a 1mb link, the meeting was a complete success and everyone on both AIVIQ and Casey are comfortable with the plan
Casey and AIVIQ will continue to work together over the coming days with the next big meeting scheduled for 27 Dec 22 when key members meet on Terra Firma at the Casey Wharf.
Ohhhhhhh and ICEBERRRRRRRRRGG. We have now officially seen our first icebergs. This is an awesome and significant event for all first-time voyagers and cameras are getting their first real workout.
Regards,
Cam and Trent
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.