POSITION: 59 44 S 123 46 E
DISTANCE COVERED LAST 24 HOURS (NAUTICAL MILES): 298.7 nm
AIR TEMPERATURE: 3 deg C
SEA TEMPERATURE: 0.03 deg C
CURRENT SPEED: 12 knots
LOCAL (SHIP) TIME: 1200
AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD SUMMER TIME: 1500
Although they haven't redirected their course back to their original, to the Australia Antarctic bases, the Aurora Australis is no longer needed for a rescue but for support now that the 4 bodies from the helicopter crash have been recovered. They will stay in the vicinity of the L'Astrolabe should she need any assistance whilst transitting the ice. The mood at sea is one of sadness and a one minute silence has been observed in respect for the deceased, their crew and loved ones. There is a growing relationship between the Australian Antarctic Division and the French Antarctic Expeditioners and the ship from which the helicopter came was the very same that left Macquarie wharf only minutes prior to the Aurora Australis on 21 October. I waved to the French as they were leaving as they didn't have their own friends and family there to wave them off. It seemed the right thing to do.
An emergency response exercise was held onboard the Aurora Australis yesterday and everyone got to try out their Antarctic gear as they were outside in 1 deg c - for about 45 mins and if you were not on the ERT, you were standing observing for the duration of the exercise. Hobart and Mt Wellington were cold enough for me!
The first ice has been observed on the ship's radar but no sighting as yet. It is rumoured to be only hours away though so a winner of the sweepstake will be revealed soon.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Media Release
AMSA COORDINATING SEARCH FOR HELICOPTER IN ANTARCTICA
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is currently coordinating a
search for a helicopter approximately 100 kilometres from the Dumont
D'Urville base in Antarctica.
AMSA's Rescue Coordination (RCC) was notified at 9.05pm 28 October
2010 of a 406 MHz distress beacon activation from an AS350 Squirrel
helicopter with four male French nationals on board.
The helicopter operates in Antarctica from the French research vessel
L'Astrolabe. The helicopter was reported to have departed the ship 20
minutes after another helicopter enroute to Dumont D'Urville base but failed
to arrive. L'Astrolabe is currently positioned about 370 kilometres North
East of Dumont D'Urville and is icebound.
The helicopter was last observed on the helicopters tracking system at an
altitude of 29 feet at 20 knots. There has been no radio communication with
the helicopter.
The distress beacon remains active and RCC Australia has tasked a United
State Air Force C17 jet from Christchurch New Zealand, a Royal Australian
Air Force AP3 Orion aircraft from Darwin with emergency drop capability to
the distress location. The Australian Antarctic Division ship Aurora
Australis with two helicopters on board has also been diverted.
RCC Australia is also making contingency plans to evacuate any potential
casualties by aircraft from the ice runway at Dumont D'Urville to McMurdo
Base and then to mainland Australia or New Zealand if required.
It is anticipated that the United States Air Force jet will reach the location
of the helicopter at about 10.00am this morning where it will attempt to
establish radio communication.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Just because I can
...Mr Bear had a haircut yesterday and I decided, finally, to take a photo while he was fresh off the press and still looked and smelled like a designer dog. Trust me, it doesn't ever last long!
If you are wondering if one ear is longer than the other... it is. I turned up early to pick him up (wrong, wrong, wrong!) and poor Julie had to battle with him wriggling around and whining for about 10 minutes while she desperately tried to finish the job and I hid hoping that he would forget that he had seen me. Sorry Julie!!
Onboard the Aurora Australis it is Trivia night... with pizza and beer! The ship is dry apart from organised social events and then everyone is entitled to only 3 drinks, I believe. The clocks go back another hour tonight as they get further away from Australia. They will end up 5 hours behind by the time they reach base.
POSITION: 55° 19' S, 113° 25' E
Distance travelled last 24 hours: 224.5 nautical miles
Air Temperature: 0 deg c
Sea temperature: 1.9 deg c
Speed: 7 knots
No ice has been spotted yet but rumour has it that once they reach ice, the weather and conditions will improve dramatically. Good news.
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| All fresh and new |
...Mr Bear had a haircut yesterday and I decided, finally, to take a photo while he was fresh off the press and still looked and smelled like a designer dog. Trust me, it doesn't ever last long!
Onboard the Aurora Australis it is Trivia night... with pizza and beer! The ship is dry apart from organised social events and then everyone is entitled to only 3 drinks, I believe. The clocks go back another hour tonight as they get further away from Australia. They will end up 5 hours behind by the time they reach base.
POSITION: 55° 19' S, 113° 25' E
Distance travelled last 24 hours: 224.5 nautical miles
Air Temperature: 0 deg c
Sea temperature: 1.9 deg c
Speed: 7 knots
No ice has been spotted yet but rumour has it that once they reach ice, the weather and conditions will improve dramatically. Good news.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Getting comfortable
Distance covered last 24 hours: 193.2 nautical miles
Air temperature: 3 deg c
Sea temperature: 6.5 deg c
Speed: 9 knots
This is actually from yesterdays Sit Rep as there were problems with email yesterday and lot of people lost them so am thinking it is also why this didn't make it on to the AAD website by the time I went to bed last night.
More expeditioners are being spotted around the ship, visiting the library and playing cards in the mess as they are feeling more comfortable at sea. They have entered the 'Furious Fifties' though which is making things difficult and keeping them at the lower speed of 9 knots. Westerly swells of 5m, seas 6m.
Activities including show and tells (there are more technical terms being that they are scientists doing the showing and telling), a talk about the Auroral Lights, a 'first iceberg sighting' sweepstake and the planning for an upcoming quiz night all starting to take place on board.
There are no photos available from the ship at this point as the email limit to and from is a mere 10k whilst they are at sea. There will be a lot of photo catch up happening once they reach dry land but in the meantime, for the first time, I have borrowed one of the Auroral lights from Davis base, from the AAD photo library. Enjoy.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Calmer seas
Distance covered last 24 hours: 247.1 nautical miles
Air temperature: 7 deg c
Sea temperature: 5.5 deg c
Current speed: 10 knots
Everyone woke to calmer seas this morning after the Masters and Officers on board altered the ship's course to avoid the stormy weather. More people emerged from their cabins and were spotted around the ship. On a personal note, Justin is feeling much better although still bunged up. He says he is getting keen to just get stuck in to his job and settle in to a good routine on base.
Check out the daily Sit Reps, Schedules and Ship Tracks here. Justin is on Voyage 1 with the October 21 departure date. Click here for the voyage map. The AAD website is updated daily and is chocker block loaded with information.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
It's been a while
Which of course means that there is more to mention. I haven't had the opportunity to update with limited internet access whilst in Hobart and returning to a busy household (all 2 of us!) on Friday with orders to get out and the market today to prepare for.
The ship (not 'boat'), Aurora Australis, got away only minutes late on Thursday. They were waiting for a French ship to leave the dock first, on its way to Antarctica also, before heading out to sea. Justin and I got to say a very quick goodbye as it was suddenly sprung on all the expeditioners (not exhibitionists as I keep saying!) were told to say their goodbyes and head to the muster point, after which they were to head straight out the gate on to the wharf and board the ship. Once aboard, everyone was brought together to discuss procedures then they gathered their bags and made their way to their shared cabins. Michelle, wife of Tony, the Summering chef, and I stood on the wharf for an hour and a half and waited for their departure. The guys appeared out on deck where we could see them and from there we talked on the phone, waved to each other and took photos of one another.
I was still okay at this point and even when the ship pulled away and Justin waved both arms for as long as I could still see the ship, everything was okay... we could still talk on the phone. But as I was checking in to my airport hotel and the signal ran out, I was in tears at the reception desk as it suddenly hit home that that was that... reality really bites sometimes. I phoned my big sister in tears and then let them all run down the plug hole in the shower. I felt much better for it though and just looked forward to getting home.
The Aurora Australis is now cruising... in a matter of speaking... the high seas, covering 218 nautical miles in the past 24 hours. It has been rough going so far and according to today's update, it is going to get rougher still with 6.5m seas expected tomorrow. Justin is finding it tough, and described it as being "on a ride in a theme park, the big dips leaving my stomach in my mouth". And he has never liked theme park rides much! It certainly doesn't help that he has also come down with a cold since boarding the ship... a double whammy. I don't envy him one little bit since my stomach has not held up at all well on my sea adventures to date.
A worthy mention.... while we were in Hobart we had some lovely meals out, the two best when we were cooked for at friends' houses. Thanks so much to both Noel and Sue, and Sandy and Bel for their gorgeous hospitality and equally gorgeous meals. I look forward to a celebratory time in about 12 months when we can all get together again!
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| Justin, Jo and Tony |
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| Justin, 3rd from left on lower deck |
I was still okay at this point and even when the ship pulled away and Justin waved both arms for as long as I could still see the ship, everything was okay... we could still talk on the phone. But as I was checking in to my airport hotel and the signal ran out, I was in tears at the reception desk as it suddenly hit home that that was that... reality really bites sometimes. I phoned my big sister in tears and then let them all run down the plug hole in the shower. I felt much better for it though and just looked forward to getting home.
The Aurora Australis is now cruising... in a matter of speaking... the high seas, covering 218 nautical miles in the past 24 hours. It has been rough going so far and according to today's update, it is going to get rougher still with 6.5m seas expected tomorrow. Justin is finding it tough, and described it as being "on a ride in a theme park, the big dips leaving my stomach in my mouth". And he has never liked theme park rides much! It certainly doesn't help that he has also come down with a cold since boarding the ship... a double whammy. I don't envy him one little bit since my stomach has not held up at all well on my sea adventures to date.
A worthy mention.... while we were in Hobart we had some lovely meals out, the two best when we were cooked for at friends' houses. Thanks so much to both Noel and Sue, and Sandy and Bel for their gorgeous hospitality and equally gorgeous meals. I look forward to a celebratory time in about 12 months when we can all get together again!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Congratulations are in order!
Great news... Justin applied for the position of Deputy Station Leader (DSL) at Davis and got it!!
As DSL he will be appointed as an Inspector under Antarctic environmental legislation (the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act and the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act ) and as a Special Constable under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance in the Australian Antarctic Territory.
It does mean increased responsibilities and a greater workload while he is at Davis but he is excited about learning more on the operational side. He will also assume the position of Station Leader when the SL is off base. Being a Special Constable, it also means that he is able to conduct an arrest should it be required of him! Colour me proud.
I arrived in Hobart yesterday to spend the week with Justin and, inevitably, say goodbye next Thursday 21 October when the crew all board the ship for their journey to Davis. As we drove in to Hobart from the airport, we could see the Aurora Australis that will transport everyone to Davis, slowly leaving the harbour for sea trials. I won't get the opportunity to get up close to the boat but Justin was able to get close enough to take photos when it was berthed in the harbour in Hobart up until yesterday. Check out the link to find out more about the boat, including size and spec details.
As for me, I have never been to Hobart before and am pleasantly surprised by what I find. It's a very pretty city and I was lucky enough to fly in on a gorgeous October afternoon. It was fresh but sunny. Today, however, it is grey, rainy and cold. As Justin drove me around the city yesterday, he made the comment that we could be almost anywhere in New Zealand and he was right. The small city centre, the hills and the colonial style buildings... what a breath of fresh air.
As DSL he will be appointed as an Inspector under Antarctic environmental legislation (the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act and the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Conservation Act ) and as a Special Constable under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance in the Australian Antarctic Territory.
It does mean increased responsibilities and a greater workload while he is at Davis but he is excited about learning more on the operational side. He will also assume the position of Station Leader when the SL is off base. Being a Special Constable, it also means that he is able to conduct an arrest should it be required of him! Colour me proud.
As for me, I have never been to Hobart before and am pleasantly surprised by what I find. It's a very pretty city and I was lucky enough to fly in on a gorgeous October afternoon. It was fresh but sunny. Today, however, it is grey, rainy and cold. As Justin drove me around the city yesterday, he made the comment that we could be almost anywhere in New Zealand and he was right. The small city centre, the hills and the colonial style buildings... what a breath of fresh air.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
And finally some photos...
What a busy week - for both Justin and I it would seem. He has been tied up with his fire training (ERT - Emergency Response Team), followed by hairdressing - both of which he has sent me photos of.
The fire training included, of course, using the hoses, entering a burning structure, extinguishing and the use of breathing apparatus. One of the exercises saw the guys sitting in a burning container with breathing apparatus on for five minutes!
They were also introduced to the 'Hagg' which has been used for transport on the ice for a number of years. The Hagg usually has an empty rear unit with seats - not the red pump unit, as pictured.
One of the final days of ERT training went from 9am-10pm... a very long day which meant that the training occurred in the dark and while everyone was tired. Frightening stuff.
Hairdressing training was up next. Held at the TAFE, the guys were taught basic hairdressing skills including straight cutting, layering, working with clippers and trimming beards. During the summer months when the Davis station population swells to almost 100, their skills may be called upon by both male and female expeditioners and scientists as they can be there anything from 6 weeks - 4 months or a full year, like Justin. Usually the 'winterers' like Justin will either keep their hair shaved or grow it long to keep things simple. There is equipment at the base and that consists of all the basics for non-complex hairdressing. So no perms kids!!
As for me, things keep trucking along but I now have Christoph staying, who is a delightful 20 yr old - quite different to any other 20 year old I know in that he is very independent, sociable and caring. He is good company - I just feel bad that I can't spend more time with him and that my moods are a bit up and down at the moment. He has also been most understanding and full of good humour.
There are exciting things going on... I have flowers and wee courgettes on my plant!! Check out these beauties...
My seedlings are looking fantastic and with any luck, Brian (my big brother) will come up this weekend (I am trying to lure him with a Swiss fondue!!) and help me complete my wee garden bed and get everything planted.
My other exciting news is that I am going to Riyahd for Christmas! Justin's parents live there at the moment and have managed to convince me that I should go. Now I am very much looking forward to it. You can't enter Riyahd as a tourist and must have sponsorship in the country so Brian (Justin's dad) and Bronwyn have submitted my passport details at their end for approval but then I would also need to send my passport away here for receipt of the visa if that all goes okay. Travelling on my own, I must be met at the airport by a male sponsor. Women cannot travel unaccompanied throughout Riyahd. There is a lot more information on this website. In Saudi Arabia no alcohol, pork products or religious books not related to Islam are permitted. I think this will be the most extreme cultural experience to date!
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| That's Justin with the hose. |
The fire training included, of course, using the hoses, entering a burning structure, extinguishing and the use of breathing apparatus. One of the exercises saw the guys sitting in a burning container with breathing apparatus on for five minutes!
One of the final days of ERT training went from 9am-10pm... a very long day which meant that the training occurred in the dark and while everyone was tired. Frightening stuff.
As for me, things keep trucking along but I now have Christoph staying, who is a delightful 20 yr old - quite different to any other 20 year old I know in that he is very independent, sociable and caring. He is good company - I just feel bad that I can't spend more time with him and that my moods are a bit up and down at the moment. He has also been most understanding and full of good humour.
My seedlings are looking fantastic and with any luck, Brian (my big brother) will come up this weekend (I am trying to lure him with a Swiss fondue!!) and help me complete my wee garden bed and get everything planted.
My other exciting news is that I am going to Riyahd for Christmas! Justin's parents live there at the moment and have managed to convince me that I should go. Now I am very much looking forward to it. You can't enter Riyahd as a tourist and must have sponsorship in the country so Brian (Justin's dad) and Bronwyn have submitted my passport details at their end for approval but then I would also need to send my passport away here for receipt of the visa if that all goes okay. Travelling on my own, I must be met at the airport by a male sponsor. Women cannot travel unaccompanied throughout Riyahd. There is a lot more information on this website. In Saudi Arabia no alcohol, pork products or religious books not related to Islam are permitted. I think this will be the most extreme cultural experience to date!
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