A Southern Christmas 2001 - Day 3

 If I may repeat yesterday's comment: please go back and start (HERE) if you have not yet read the introduction to this series - otherwise read on and enjoy, as we get into Day 3 of the great southern adventure...

Tuesday 18th December 2001

At sea

It's a superstition at sea never to talk about how fair the weather is, otherwise the sea gods may take it away. This is just one of many little chestnuts like whistling up the wind (which is either bad luck if it brings bad weather, or good if it brings much needed wind and you're in a sailing ship) and sighting an albatross (which also works both ways).  

Per Hansen, Aurora's archetypal Danish bosun, (more correctly these days, Senior Integrated Rating) reminded me of this when he overheard me saying that the sea could easily be mistaken for the Mediterranean at its best.  Nevertheless, the weather could almost be described as balmy and we are making 17 to 18 knots in a gentle swell and a light westerly breeze which could almost be called a zephyr – and this is at 53 degrees South latitude which is well inside the furious fifties. I’m not going to write any more about the weather today in case Per is right.

We received a message from Antarctic Division today giving us, and all other staff at AAD an update on the voyage schedules of Aurora and one of her sister ships, Polar Bird which is on a supply trip to Mawson. Polar Bird is not an icebreaker, she’s regarded as ice-capable, and she has been stationary in heavy ice conditions in Prydz Bay for about 12 days. Polar Bird is apparently in no danger and is accessible by helicopter, but at the moment she is beset.

If the situation with Polar Bird continues, a decision will be made after our arrival at Casey whether Aurora is to be re-routed to assist. Although there are not yet plans to do this, we are taking advantage of the fair weather (sorry, prevailing weather conditions) to travel at optimum speed to Casey thus providing an opportunity to divert if needed.

Interest in the Ice Sweep is growing, with some pundits wagering that it will be as early as tomorrow night when we see our first berg. Proceeds from the raffle will go to Camp Quality, the charity adopted by the officers and crew of Aurora which provides great benefits and opportunities to under-privileged kids. As I wrote yesterday, the iceberg must be at least as big as the ship, the sighting must be independently verified and under no circumstances are we to bribe the captain or any of the officers to use the radar or alter course in any way. I’m punting for Thursday mid-morning.

Today's training was on clothing and the risk and avoidance measures for hypothermia and frostbite. Although much of this is aimed at the winterers and the researchers who will be working away from the base station, the training is essential for all who travel to the Antarctic and is a reminder that this is not just another trip to the seaside. There is talk of additional training in abseiling down on to the ice from the deck of the ship later on in the voyage as part of crevasse safety training - something to get excited about!

I continue to be in awe of the work done by the scientists on board and their commitment and devotion to the job they are doing in understanding the part this corner of the world plays in the whole global life cycle. Little wonder there is so much enthusiasm in keeping this place pristine and unsullied by humanity's frequent appetite for destructive exploitation.

More tomorrow...