Fuel, focus, and the fabric of station life
With Midwinter now in the rear-view mirror, our community here at Casey has begun to settle into the rhythm of the second half of winter. Decorations have been packed away, gifts taken to rooms, and a quiet sense of reflection has set in as we look ahead to what’s still to come. It’s only been a few weeks since our Midwinter celebrations, but in this landscape, where time stretches and shrinks in strange ways, it already feels like a lifetime ago.
Though the festivities are behind us, the darkness has lingered — days are still shorter than normal, whatever normal even means in a place like this. But over the past few weeks, a slow and welcome shift has begun. The sun is making its cautious return. Just yesterday, as I sat in the office around midday, a golden light broke across the horizon and water — from ice ever so slightly melting from its attachment to the building — trickled gently down the window. A subtle, beautiful reminder that the tide is turning. One of our expeditioners even spotted a seal resting on the ice through a pair of binoculars. These quiet sightings and shifting skies signal what’s to come.
In true David Attenborough style, nature is pacing the story. Bit by bit, we’re heading toward the eventual return of 24-hour daylight, active wildlife, and the bustle of a summer season. There’s still plenty of winter ahead — August and September are often the harshest — but that sliver of sunlight boosts morale and recharges our collective energy.
This week also marked a major operational milestone: the successful completion of the Midwinter Fuel Transfer, a key seasonal operation for our dieso team and the station more broadly. On paper, it sounds straightforward — pump diesel from one place to another — but in reality, it’s a complex, high-stakes operation that requires around-the-clock teamwork.
Over 31.5 hours, we transferred 457,750 litres of diesel — equivalent to 368.5 tonnes — through a long portable hose system from the Lower Fuel Farm at the wharf, to our Upper Fuel Farm. This fuel powers everything from our water pumps to vehicles and station generators, and every drop must be handled with care in one of the most pristine environments on Earth.
Although Mother Nature initially said no — delivering a burst of low visibility and high winds that forced us to temporarily suspend operations — she soon relented. The remaining shifts were met with a cold but reasonably calm set of weather conditions. At one point, the wind dropped completely, and those on duty at 3am were treated to a silent, humbling gift: a vivid, slow-dancing aurora australis across the sky. A visceral reminder of who is truly in charge down here — and why we never take anything for granted.
Every expeditioner on station had a role — whether managing pump operations, conducting line checks in sub-zero conditions, cooking meals for the team, providing stand-by support, keeping the station systems humming, or simply showing up for their shift with care and purpose. It was a whole-of-station effort and the result was a smooth, incident-free transfer. We’re now ready to receive next season’s resupply from the RSV Nuyina.
As we move into the final stretch of our Antarctic mission, the pace will pick up. The Wilkins team is preparing to head out soon to begin work on the glacial ice runway. Birds, penguins, and seals will reappear. The sun will take on its full 24/7 shift. Helicopters, aviation crews, and the Nuyina itself will return to our horizon. Things will get busier, the tempo will gradually increase from an already substantial workload, and some exciting outdoor and social events will take place. Tat’s something we’re all looking forward to.
To all the family and friends reading this from back home — please know your loved ones are doing an outstanding job. They are part of something extraordinary here. This is a place that even the best photographs can’t quite capture — a place of raw beauty, quiet challenge, and immense purpose. The team is safe, strong, and united. We are proud of what we’ve achieved and what lies ahead.
The sun is rising once again — and so are we.
Warm regards,
Andy Warton
Station Leader
Casey Station, Antarctica
