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There is a very big storm passing over the Southern Ocean so we are currently waiting in the relative calm of Davis Station until it is safe to venture out. Our cargo operations were completed yesterday in just a few hours, thanks to the awesome efficiency of Anthony, the AIVIQ crew, our Watercraft Operators, and the team on station. Once our operations were finished, we made the most of an afternoon of good weather to spend some time ashore. Visits to station had not been on the cards at all because our stop at Davis was always going to be very brief. However, once the decision was made to hang out in the bay while the storm passed over, a plan was quickly scrambled together for the afternoon. The Mawson winterers and round-trip personnel were ferried ashore in IRBs and welcomed with open arms by all on Davis Station. The afternoon meant different things to different people. For some, it meant ticking off their last Antarctic station. For others, it was the opportunity to visit old friends. To have two complete wintering teams in one location was quite a novelty and many took the opportunity to share and debrief on their experiences. The afternoon was revitalising for people on both ship and station and I think we head into the voyage and winter with an added burst of energy.
We now have everyone on board for the journey home, including six new personnel from Davis Station. We are currently sheltering behind an island as the wind holds steady at 40kts. Davis Station is still in sight but completely unreachable in this weather. No one will be getting on or off the ship (touch wood) until we berth in Hobart in just over two-weeks time.
REGARDS: Sam and Anthony
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.