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Today the weather lessened slightly again and we are hoping for good weather tomorrow to allow for our final preparations to be complete. As at the 0700 h forecast this morning the winds are set to drop to 10-15kn tomorrow morning which will allow the boat team to conduct the final series of crew induction training. This will also allow the refuelling team to conduct final inspections and set-up at Casey.
Once the set-up at Casey is complete, the Refuelling Supervisor (RS) will come back to AIVIQ with six members from Casey. Those members will undergo 2-3 hours of training with the RS to allow them to be the AIVIQ deck pump monitors. Throughout the refuelling operations the team will be accommodated on AIVIQ.
Once the final preparations are complete, all we need to look for is a suitable weather window to conduct our operations. While 25kn is our wind limit for the inflatable rubber boats, we need it will below this speed for hose deployment and want it below this speed for as much as the operations as possible.
Our next update from the BOM will be at 1700 h today and that will provide a better understanding of what weather we can expect for Sun, Mon and Tue. Fingers crossed this will be our window to conduct refuelling as Happy D is steaming hard towards Casey. AIVIQ has priority over Happy D, but in the end we are all one team working towards a common goal.
Tomorrow we will also conduct reciprocal visits with Casey. The ship will send all 24 crew to Casey for a two hour visit and Casey will send 24 members to AIVIQ. This will be done in two blocks at 1000 and 1400 h. This will be the first opportunity many members of AIVIQ have had to step foot on land in Antarctica and many members are very excited.
Regards,
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.