It can be a hairy trip, getting from the station to RSV Nuyina. Sometimes it’s just a matter of donning an immersion suit and jumping in a helicopter for the minute-long trip from shore to ship.
But not today. Low visibility means the helicopters are out of action so the trip will be by LARC. Kitted out in extreme weather gear, nine people climb up into the amphibious vehicle and it drives into the water, switching into marine mode before heading into the bay to meet a red Personnel Transfer Tender (PTT).
Eight of the group clamber from one boat to the other, donning helmets as the PTT moves alongside the ship.
This is the fun bit. Davit lines come down and are secured to the PTT, which is then pulled slowly up the side of the icebreaker. When it gets to the deck, the expeditioners hand their helmets back and climb out. For many it’s their first time on the ship (they came to the island on l’Astrolabe) and they’ll spend the first day or two getting lost.
Later, on the Observation Deck, there’s time to reflect on the year just gone.
Adam McLaughlin, who comes from a town south of Cairns in Queensland, worked as an electrician on the island and says he really enjoyed community life.
“We had a really good crew there and it was always a lot of fun,” he said.
“Another highlight was helping the rangers do the albatross census on the south-west slopes of the island. It was great to see how that sort of work gets done. It’s manual, so you have to hike down to do it and it’s a bit of an adventure.”
Professionally, he says gutting and renovating the accommodation block known as Hass House was a major achievement.
He’s most looking forward to seeing family and friends and “walking around with bare feet and swimming on the reef”.
Communications Technical Officer, Nelson Clegg, also lists the albatross census as a highlight.
“It was an incredible experience. It’s a breathtaking area,” he said.
“We did the first part of identifying all the breeding pairs and the nests. Then they go back a few months later and check if there are any chicks.”
In a professional sense, he says he learned a lot from his colleague, Senior Comms Tech Officer, Trevor Crews.
“This was my second season, and the first time at Casey I was with someone who was also a first timer, so we sort of worked it out as we went along,” Mr Clegg said.
“This time it was great to get Trev’s knowledge and experience. We moved one of the remote repeater sites and it really improved the radio coverage for the rangers who are working on those south-west slopes where the albatross are.”
He has a nephew, who’s almost two, and says he’s “really looking forward to getting to know him and spending time with my family.”
Justine Thompson was summer Station Leader and describes her workplace as “like something out of Jurassic Park, or a David Attenborough documentary.”
“It’s remote and isolated, but has wildlife everywhere – seals, penguins, albatross, orcas,” she said.
“The weather conditions are extreme. You get sun, rain, hail, sleet, snow, gale force winds and you can experience these all in one day.”
Handing over the keys provoked a “mixed bag of emotions” because although resupply is hectic, it also signalled the end of an extraordinary adventure.
“I’m so proud of the work the 76th ANARE has completed and we’re definitely leaving the island in a better position than when we got here,” she said.
“I wish the 77th ANARE all the success for the next 12 months.”
Captain Rebecca Jeffcoat is taking over as Station Leader.
“It is an immense privilege to be entrusted to be the custodians of such an incredible place for a year,” she said.
“We have received the most wonderful welcome from the 76th ANARE and the team and I are now inspired to look after Macquarie Island in the same exceptional way they have.
”We have a very busy year ahead. As part of the Macquarie Island Modernisation Project we'll be undertaking work to improve living conditions and install landslip safety features, and then focussing on stewardship of the island, station and wildlife.”
- Bec Hewett, Media Rep -
