Information

Vessel:
Report (sitrep) ID:
21123
Universal time (UTC):
04:57
Australian time (AEST):
15:57
Position:
66° 54′ S, 78° 39′ E
Heading:
86
Speed:
2.6 kn
Distance in last 24 hours:
113 NM
Weather conditions:
8/8 cloud / 12.4 knots 92 deg T
Air temperature:
−8.6 °C
Sea conditions:
Nil, in fast ice
Sea temperature:
−1.8 °C

Comments

Ice trials are underway! The hunt for ice was successful and last night we parked ourselves in the fast ice near the Four Ladies Bank, 100nm from Davis. This morning, after an operational brief, we put a small team out onto the ice to test the thickness and collect a core sample to measure the flexural strength of the ice, confirming its suitability. We are currently undertaking the "straight ahead" test. Which as the name suggests, the ship is driven straight ahead in the fast ice, while the speed vs engine outputs are measured. Once the 2km track has been completed, teams will again venture onto the ice to check ice measurements to correlate against the engine data. A few curious seals and a huddle of penguins have come to supervise the testing. It's fair to say their interest was limited and before long they galumphed and waddled off in search of other entertainment.

Map

180° 170°W 160°W 150°W 140°W 130°W 120°W 110°W 100°W 90°W 80°W 70°W 60°W 50°W 40°W 30°W 20°W 10°W 30°E 40°E 50°E 60°E 70°E 80°E 90°E 100°E 110°E 120°E 130°E 140°E 150°E 160°E 170°E 80°S 70°S 60°S 50°S 40°S 30°S 20°S 10°S 0°N 10°N 20°N 30°N 40°N 50°N 60°N 70°N 80°N Casey Davis Mawson Macquarie Island Heard Island Fremantle Hobart

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.

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