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Merry Christmas to everyone reading this, we hope you are having a wonderful day with your loved ones and that your waist belts are ever so slightly tighter.
DVL Trent and VL Cam were out at midnight last night deploying the fourth Argo float when we saw what looked like a Reindeer cruising on the starboard side of the ship. We never would have thought we could make a valuable contribution to science, while looking at icebergs in the middle of the night in complete daylight
Voyage 4 has been extremely fortunate since leaving Hobart on the 17 Dec 22. We have had favourable weather and AIVIQ has continued to move steadily towards Casey Station. As a result of such wonderful weather AIVIQ is now due into Newcomb Bay at approx 2000 h tonight. This will provide an amazing opportunity to get a crew photo on the Heli Deck outside Casey Station on Christmas Day. It also means the crew can commence ship-based preparations for refuelling bright and early on Mon, 26 Dec 22.
While work is for tomorrow, today on the ship was all about phone calls home, food with friends and enjoying the brilliance that is Antarctic waters. Crew took the opportunity to use the satellite phones on board to call their loved ones while others waited patiently for photos of children opening presents to load. While we may not be able to be with our loved ones we are with our friends and the chefs on board didn't hold back with Christmas food.
Christmas movies were playing throughout the day but the centre of attention shone brightly on the Bridge. The team has been treated to non-stop picturesque views as AIVIQ effortlessly passes her way through icebergs and pack ice. We have been fortunate to see penguins sliding across bergs, seals grumpily awaking to look what is disturbing their slumber, baby humpback whales playing with their mothers and a range of birds gliding gracefully across the skies. It really was a magnificent Christmas.
Although the day was for rest, it was also the day before refuelling operations commence so we couldn't forget work completely. The voyage leader daily update brief occurs every day at 1900 h and while this was optional while we were transiting to Casey, it was made compulsory from 24 Dec 22.
The update brief is now an important command and control tool which allows Voyage Management and section heads to pass on information about the next days operations. While we have a plan with detailed dates and timings, we are more than aware that no task fits perfectly into its allotted time slot. It is for this reason we remain flexible and agile and will adapt our daily operations as required.
The 1900 h update also provides the opportunity to debrief everyone on the days activities, as well as adjust and synchronise our plan for the following day. It is also an excellent opportunity for Voyage Management to see the entire team, identify possible concerns in an open and welcoming environment and check how people are going.
From the entire crew aboard AIVIQ, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas,
Regard,
Trent and Cam
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.