Report 139 -- Friday, 10 November, 2000

REPORT 139

DATE: Friday, 10 November, 2000

UNIVERSAL TIME: 0400

LOCAL (SHIP) TIME: 1200

AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARDISUMMER TIME: 1600

POSITION: -53 00.348 73 26.124

HEADING: n/a

CURRENT SPEED (KNOTS): at anchor

DISTANCE TO NEXT WAYPOINT (NAUTICAL MILES): in Corinthian Bay now

DISTANCE COVERED LAST 24 HOURS (NAUTICAL MILES): n/a

WEATHER CONDITIONS: snow showers, 6/8 cloud and some blue patches, wind at 30 knots

AIR TEMPERATURE: +0.4 degrees C

SEA TEMPERATURE: +1.5 degrees C

SEA CONDITIONS: slight sea and moderate swell

ICE CONDITIONS: nil

REMARKS:

Anchored at 1245 Thursday in Atlas Cove. Heard Island Field Leader and Senior Pilot came aboard at 1325 for an operational meeting. Chief Officer and Bosun returned to shore to inspect RTA cargo. Sling loading commenced at 1540. 40 loads including concrete bags, cage pallets, pallets, empty fuel drums and bundles were stowed onboard. One HI expo and aerial camera gear also aboard. All goods for Heard Island were discharged. Heard Island IRBs provided SAR support. Small hut was flown to Spit Point and expos returned to Atlas Cove to consolidate operations and save ship time. Operations ceased at 2020. 

Vessel steamed up and down in the lee of the Island overnight. Weather (strong winds and snow showers) precluded operations this morning until 1115, when pax runs started. Six flights completed followed by 5 cargo runs. Cargo runs are continuing.

Hope to depart later today but this is very much weather dependant!!  Many thanks to the Heard Islanders for a splendid operation yesterday. Everything went like clockwork and an enormous clean-up operation has been undertaken!!

Regards

Suzanne and Gordon

At 1800 this evening we slipped away from Heard lsland after a frantic 29 hour visit - more detail later. Tentatively it looks like arrival Fremantle

Sunday 19th - but call around say Thursday 16th for up to date info.

Write to you tomorrow -now its time to clean up, batten down the cabin for rough weather and sleep.