L'Astrolabe resupply
The last week or so has seen a whirlwind of activity on station preparing for the arrival of the L’Astrolabe with almost 3000kg of cargo and more importantly ten summering expeditioners.
Everyone on station rolled up their sleeves and got involved with preparations ranging from kitchen duties and keeping us fed, setting up inflatable rescue boats (IRBs), moving cage pallets, sorting life jackets, making beds, co-ordinating plant and equipment, to making the final touch-ups to accommodation buildings.
There were briefings and more briefings and lots of plans, rosters, cleaning and room set-ups.
The L’Astrolabe appeared on our misty horizon at roughly 0900 on Monday 15 December. Although the winds weren’t too bad (for Macca), the sea state was a bit ‘interesting’ and we watched the ship roll around in the swell and wondered how those on board were faring.
We had originally planned to operate from the generally more sheltered Garden Bay but the north easterly swell made that a bit tricky so we shifted operations to the more traditional Landing Beach and waited, and waited. The swell was bad, the wind was good; the wind was bad, the swell was a bit better…
The Bureau of Meteorology team were wonderful and provided regular updates on wind and swell conditions – they have a pretty good view from their office window! We trekked to Landing Beach with our coxswains and crew many times over the two days to evaluate launching and landing prospects.
We spoke many times to the bridge of the L’Astrolabe and finally, just when we thought it might not be possible, the wind reduced enough and the sea calmed down to allow operations to commence.
At 1720 on Tuesday 17 December, our two IRB crews transferred via sea from Garden Bay to Landing Beach. The French Navy positioned their rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) 100m offshore to await transfers. And then, like a well-tuned orchestra, the symphony began. Outbound passengers, two at a time with their cargo, moved from shore in an IRB to the RHIB and vice versa. The IRB would pull up alongside the RHIB and an efficient transfer of outbound and inbound passengers and cargo took place. The loaded RHIB would then take passengers and cargo to the L’Astrolabe.
Three hours later, the process successfully concluded – our departing winter team members were safely on board the ship, and ten excited summering expeditioners joined the Macca crew!
The last couple of days has seen a lot of activity on station including inductions, station tours, unloading and biosecurity clearance of cargo, a fire muster … and we even had time to put together a rustic Macca Christmas greeting this morning.
A big shout-out to the wintering team who worked so hard over the last few days to ensure a successful resupply – a fabulous effort and shining example of great team work.
A warm welcome to the summer expos who have joined us here on island, we are so happy to see you. Our very best wishes to our departing winter crew, thank you for your contribution to the winter season, we hope you enjoy some good French pastries and a white Christmas at Dumont d'Urville!
Karen Pye, Station Leader
