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We woke to the best winds we've seen since arriving, giving us hope that the refuelling operation would be the plan for the day. The winds were low, but unfortunately coming from the wrong direction, causing increased swells and preventing Nuyina from being in the most advantageous position for refuel. We received the morning weather briefing which indicated easing conditions so hopes grew. As the sun rose and the watercraft team could see the swell and wave conditions they declared they were happy enough with the conditions and forecast to proceed. The ship's Master, the Voyage and Station Leaders, and the Refuel Supervisor all agreed and we set to work. The watercraft operators really were the stars of the day battling conditions towards the upper limits of our parameters to get the fuel line in the water. Our LARC mechanic played a key role at the shore point, getting a rope to the boat team to get the hose ashore. The team on the beach played their part whilst also needing to keep inquisitive juvenile seals away from the hose line, although one kept popping up like a mushroom. Once the hose was connected at the shore and ship ends the team performed a leak test using compressed air to ensure all connections were tight, and then it was time to pump. Following his checklists to the letter our Refuel Supervisor was conducting all the action from the ship to keep all safely on track. We managed to get approximately 130,000 litres ashore before the pump was stopped to allow packup before sunset. The weather tomorrow looks promising to try again - somewhere around 145,000 litres would see the tanks at Macca at capacity.
We also managed to get the helicopters ashore this afternoon for some passenger transfers and some down island work, but not long after landing the clouds closed in. Later in the afternoon the cloud lifted enough to tick a couple of the down island jobs off the list, before returning to the ship ahead of sunset.
Wish us luck for more fuel tomorrow.
REGARDS: Brendan, Jenn, and Nick
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.