April 9: Land ahoy. All aboard the helicopters!

Macquarie Island. First Sighting. Photo: Jacque Comery

A buzz started aboard.  Land ahoy!  To be fair, disappointingly no one actually said that, except me on the inside!  Finally after so much planning and waiting, I laid my eyes on the Green Sponge.  Such a small speck of land out here in the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles from Hobart and half way to Antarctica. This view is out the port hole in the mess...I was making a cuppa at the time.


Macquarie Island and a LARC amphibious vehicle. Photo: Jacque Comery

 

The amphibious LARC is the alternative method to helicopters that we use to move cargo ashore.  Macquarie Island has no port, and all cargo and personnel must be moved via heli flight, or aboard the LARCS. These fine machines are 55 years old and were originally designed for use by the Army. I had the privilege to drive one of these fine ladies in Tasmania. If high winds ground our 4 helicopters the LARCS will be our primary cargo transfer means.  The LARC aboard the Aurora Australis will join the two vehicles already on land.

 

 

On the afternoon of our arrival, the seas were too big to launch the LARCS. The decision came from the Voyage Leader that the Winter crew would fly off by heli to get a head start on handovers.  Notice that I still cant wipe the ridiculous smile off my face.

Jac and Rich Youd (2015 Senior Comms Tech Officer - SCTO) in our survival suits ready to fly off the Aurora.  Photo: Rich Youd.

Awaiting clearance from the HLO to board our heli. Photo: Rich Youd.

Filming my farewell to the Aurora. Photo: Rich Youd.

April 8: Southern Ocean

Southern ocean from the Aurora Australis bridge. Photo: Jacque Comery

Making good progress south in a rolling beam swell. Although it does not looklike  it from this photo, the roll is making working on the computer on the upper decks a little tiresome.  Many of the team have retreated to their bunks with some sea sick pills.
I have never been sea sick in my entire life, but I reckon an icebreaker in a big sea might just break me. Travelling well so far though.  Note the cute Orca wind vein on the mast on the foredeck.  You can also see the barge on deck  that is travelling  down with us to help unload some heavy equipment.