April 16th: Heli ops are go

Macquarie Island has no port or harbour.  All of our supplies are brought in by Helicopter or  boat.  When the swells are too high to land small water craft, the helicopters are our sole means of bringing in our years worth of precious supplies, and of taking out the RTA (Return to Australia) loads of landfill, disused equipment and rubbish back to the ship.
Watching these guys maneuverer their aircraft on and off the narrow isthmus and pitching and rolling ship deck is a sight to behold.  Much respect.


Helis moving cage pallets to and from the ship. Photo: Jacque Comery.

Helicopter picking up a sling load from the Aurora Australis.  Photo Jacque Comery.



Taking off with another pallet to return to Australia, or RTA as we call it.  Photo: Jacque Comery