With the station resupply, refuelling and changeover completed late last week, the new Macquarie Island station crew is this week settling in to their busy and challenging life on station.

Completion of changeover and departure of 2013 expeditioners.

Late last week we completed our station resupply, refuelling, station crew changeover, and station handover to the incoming crew, after which the outgoing expeditioners departed on the LARCs. With them they took some special cargo, the 11 rabbit and rodent detecting dogs which have been working here with their handlers for up to the last three years.

The refuelling process uses a floating hose connecting the ship in Buckles Bay with the fuel tanks in the fuel farm on the shore. The hose needs to be closely monitored by a crew on shore and crews in zodiac boats to ensure against leaks or spills.

On Thursday night after dinner we held the formal handover of responsibility for the station to the incoming station crew. Outgoing station leader Mark presented incoming station leader Ivor with the symbolic key to the station and his handheld radio. Additionally, TASPAWS ranger in charge Chris and wildlife ranger Mike, representing Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, presented Mark and Ivor, representing the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), with a beautiful plaque in appreciation of AAD’s support and close involvement in the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project (MIPEP). Mark and Ivor both expressed their thanks for the many hours of cold hard work put in by all involved in MIPEP, including the marvellous dogs, and congratulated all on the spectacularly successful outcomes.

a group of expeditioners set up the hose on the beach
An expeditioner connects the refuelling hose on the beach
Two expeditioners inspect the refuelling hose connectio
The outgoing station leader and the incoming station leader exchange handheld radios as symbols of running the station
Two rangers present both station leaders with a commemorative plaque
The station leader and previous station doctor with the MIPEP plaque
A terrier dog on the beach with gentoo penguins behind
A dog handler with 2 dogs
The dogs and LARC crew on a LARC
THe LARC is seen departing with a load of people
An expeditioner holds a burning flare

Changeover of main power house diesel engine

Earlier this week, only a few days after taking over the station, the crew was presented with their first unexpected challenge when one of the two big diesel engines in the main power house (MPH) broke down with no warning. The problem was unable to be fixed on station. Fortunately we hold a spare engine in store, but the MPH lacks a lifting system to lift out the approximately one tonne engine and lift the replacement back in. Our trades crew had to then work out a method of doing so from scratch. In a classic example of Antarctic tradies rising to the challenge and surmounting difficulties, plant inspector Pete and his colleagues designed and constructed in a day — from scratch — a lifting gantry, and next day the job was completed safely.

Four expeditioners supervise lifting engine
Two expeditioners disconnect the lifting slings from the engine
The JCB handler lifts and moves the engine

Commencement of field training

One of the first tasks for the incoming crew was to complete their subantarctic field and survival training so we can travel into the field for work or recreational purposes. Our field training officer Ian has a busy few weeks to get this completed with groups of three expeditioners at a time for three days each. He will then commence further training for all in search and rescue (SAR) techniques, so we are fully self-sufficient in this vital function.

Ian is new to Macquarie Island, so for the first lot of training TASPAWS ranger in charge Chris accompanied Ian, with Ivor and Sean along to do their training. We had a stunningly beautiful first day to walk down to Bauer Bay, but the island turned on the windy wet, weather conditions that it is well known for the next day. Ivor got blown off his feet twice (once into a creek): ideal training conditions!

Ivor Harris
Macquarie Island Station Leader 2014

Three expeditioners in the field holding maps
Two expeditioners in the field with lake in background
Expeditioner walking down track into beautiful bay
A dead clump of tussock grass is sprouting new leaves
Two expeditioners looking at a pumpkin
Two expeditioners smiling on the ship with Macquarie Island in background
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