The last sitrep for this journey

Tuesday 16-Nov-2010

Report (sitrep) no. 126
Universal time: 0700
Australian Time: 1800 (Eastern Standard/Summer)
Position on Map: 68° 34' S, 77° 53' E (degrees latitude, longitude)
Heading: parked in ice
Current speed: at Davis
Distance in last 24 hours: 52.5 nm (nautical miles)
Distance to next waypoint:  (nautical miles)
Weather conditions: 1/8 cloud cover, E’ly winds E’ly 10 knots
Air temperature: 2 (degrees Celsius)
Sea temperature: -1.7 (degrees Celsius)
Sea conditions: Nil
Ice conditions: 10/10 fast-ice

Remarks:
We arrived at station this morning and parked up in the ice. Lovely to see the snow-capped islands off Davis tinged with morning sun. The station leader and deputy came out to the ship and briefed everyone on board about station rules and procedures. After that, began the process of getting everyone ashore for station and vehicle inductions. We have gone from being a rowdy ship to extremely quiet, and vice versa for station! It is good to see some familiar faces of the wintering crew again. Refuelling and cargo operations commenced today amidst glorious blue sky and sunshine. We are hoping for similar conditions tomorrow. REGARDS: Karin, Sharon & Lance

And the first email from Davis...
 
"Heya dear........big day as you may have expected.  Have just got my email up and running, its now 10:30 at night and I’m knackered.
Will hopefully email you tomorrow with an update etc.........
Love you very much"
XXXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Well, that's the end of the sitreps for this year's summerers and winterers but of course, the Aurora Australis now has to refuel and do all that needs doing before bringing back the 2009/2010 winterers to Australian shores.  As for Justin, the journey now begins.  I can't wait to start receiving news of the base and what he is up to but I know that these first few days especially are going to be very busy for him.
 
If you would like to send Justin a question, please do so in the comments.

And so the ship comes to rest

After 3 weeks and 4 days, the ship has reached Davis base.  The Aurora Australis is approximately 3kms from the base, parked up in the ice.  Some people have been taken by helicopter to the base as they have an important part to play in the disembarkation and refuel, some will be transported by Hagg and others will want to walk the 3-4kms to the base. 

It is a little hard to see in this photo taken by the webcam but you can click here to see the AAD Davis webcam which shows further photos of the ship parked up and is updated every 10 mins.  You can see a bright white line across to the ship which is what the vehicles will follow to get out to the ship and back when unloading.  I have yet to find out how the containers get transported from ship to base but am sure I will.   

Yesterday's sitrep read like this:

Position:  68° 4' S, 77° 52' E

Distance in last 24 hours:  182.6 nm 

Air temperature:  0 deg c

Sea temperature:  -1.2 deg c


"Steaming along to Davis and making good progress. The weather has been quite balmy with light winds and temperatures zero and above. The sightings of wildlife has increased markedly since we came around the West Ice shelf and further south, and the cameras have been steadily clicking away capturing the moments from wildlife to magnificent sunsets. All on board are greatly looking forward to arriving at Davis."

And an update for all crew on board...
"The dart competition was fiercely contested this evening in the bar with Justin "the arrow" Chambers, and Ryan Madden pitted against one another in a nail biting finale!  Justin won the first game and Ryan fought back to take out the second with both games being extremely close in points. The final game was a heated battle and it all came down to "doubles" with Justin "the arrow" living up to his name and taking the game 114 to 97 and therefore winning the competition."

I am very excited for Justin... and now the hard work starts!

All and any comments/questions for Justin will be passed on and answered.

Calmer seas

POSITION: 49 42 S 128 24 E

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.