Report 128 -- Monday, 30 October, 2000

REPORT 128

DATE : Monday, 30 October, 2000

UNIVERSAL TIME: 0500

LOCAL (SHIP) TIME: 1200

AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD/SUMMER TIME: 1600

POSITION: -66 37.88 76 34.29

HEADING: 10.6

CURRENT SPEED (KNOTS): 11.1

DISTANCE TO NEXT WAYPOINT (NAUTICAL MILES): n/a

DISTANCE COVERED LAST 24 HOURS (NAUTICAL MILES): 128

WEATHER CONDITIONS: fine and clear

AIR TEMPERATURE: -13.4 degrees C

SEA TEMPERA TURE: -1.6 degrees C

SEA CONDITIONS: n/a

ICE CONDITIONS: 10/10ths new ice with ridging

REMARKS:

Further helicopter flight to Rauer Islands Sunday afternoon, plus another to Rauers and Sorsdal with Field Training Officer and Glaciologists to reccie future field work site. Helicopters onboard at 1504 and 1534. All expos onboard at 1600. Sailed at 1645. Thanks to all at Davis for a very efficient operation and a great time!! We miss you already. 

(Fuel Figures not available yet will provide tomorrow) 

Regards

Suzanne and Gordon

Well, that's Davis done. We are now 31 only plus the 21 crew. The restaurant is unbusy and no problem with embarrassment at sitting in one of the observing chairs on the bridge for hours on end reading or just looking. Unfortunately the paper work is still needed and it is quite hard concentrating on a keyboard and a complex spreadsheet trying to tidy up a manifest of the cargo load on the ship now. Aiming to get that done by Monday night, and then turn mind to the Mawson operation which will be 'in a few days'. While the ice may seem daunting by this report -10/10 new ice and ridging, we are making quite good progress but do bump and sway about.

I'll prepare a special bulletin about sea ice in my next general report, and then do a special report on the Davis operation.

Keep well out there.