Polar Radar for Ice Sheet Measurements

Friday 6 October 2000
We continued the search for the sediment trap (‘good buoys are hard to find’!) and found it late in the afternoon. Buoy oh Buoy - we got it!! A sharp-eyed scientist spotted the sediment trap’s assembly buoys at 1730; by 1900 the acoustic release and floats were onboard, followed by a current meter and sediment trap at 2000; another current meter and sediment trap at 2116 and the final ones at 2200. All were prepared for redeployment overnight.

Other than that a pretty uneventful day - Gordon actually had a couple of hours sleep in the afternoon.

Saturday 7 October 2000
The redeployment of the sediment trap commenced at 1330 at 46 degree 47.91’S; 142 degrees 06.87’E and completed (only two out of three put out due to worsening weather) at 1615. Read the special report "Sediment Traps".

The Continuous Plankton Recorder was deployed by 1630 – more of that later. We then set sail toward a second sediment trap site about 400 miles away further south.

Field Training commenced today.

We are all travelling well and looking forward to many adventures which we will share with you through these diaries.

Sunday 8 October 2000
A ship based Home Page was established thanks to two of the expeditioners on board. This is most sophisticated with features such as track charts that automatically update every hour, safety information, SITREPS, and photos.

A Safety Muster was held this morning followed by fire safety talk and demonstration of use of the stretcher. Field Training continues with rope and knot work on the agenda.