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We commenced cargo operations this morning and the discharge is going well.
Each day there are a number of coordination meetings between key ship personnel and voyage management then station and voyage management. A draft plan is devised and discussed for the next day's activities and then confirmed on the morning of operations. At this point changes can be confirmed and the VL provides the confirmed plan to all. This means that all involved in the operations are working of the same plan. Adjustments to the plan can also be made during operations and is communicated between all parties.
Sorry for the late sitrep as the Captain and Voyage Leader took over the management of cargo discharge this afternoon while the Deputy Voyage Leader went ashore with the Chief Officer to assess the RTA (return to Australia) cargo. They are looking at the conditions of the RTA such as is there any damage to containers or do they need repacking prior to loading to the ship. Containers are checked and certified prior to deployment to Antarctica. If the containers are in good condition they are provided with a compliance plate and expiry date. If containers are damaged or out of compliance they cannot have any cargo in them are may only return to Australia on a 'flat'. A flat is a base that the container can be loaded on to and loaded to the ship. This arrangement enables the container to be lifted using the flat rather than the actual container which may have compromised integrity. On RTA the container will be checked and if possible recertified and put back into circulation.
The DVL and Chief did eventually come back to the ship after having a good look at the RTA cargo and can now plan the best way to stow the cargo on the ship. A good day today and looking forward to tomorrow.
Cheers,
Leanne and Jacob
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.