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The AIVIQ successfully refuelled Macquarie Island Station today, delivering 224,500 litres (its max capacity) in just over 5 hours, ensuring there is now enough fuel to sustain another season of research.
This was a particularly satisfying achievement as it is one of the critical voyage objectives and can be a challenging process in the best of conditions.
A combination of factors contributed to this successful outcome. Firstly, the ships officers were able to position the vessel approx. 400m from shore (which for a vessel this size, is impressive – others refuelling the Island have been up to 800-1000m out). The weather also dealt us a reasonably kind hand (at least by Macquarie Island standards), but without doubt it was the professionalism, expertise and hard work of all those involved, both on the AIVIQ (crew and AAD), in the watercraft, and on station - that enabled us to perform a text book ship-shore refuelling operation. Special mention to our refueller Jeff who had a steady hand on things all day and has spent hours getting his set-up dialed in over the past few days. He's also done some serious sea time this season with multiple voyages.
We are hoping to embark the last of our Hobart bound passengers tomorrow but we still have cargo operations to complete. All things going well – we expect to be departing the island not before Monday, 3 April.
REGARDS: Simon and Matt
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.