Polar Radar for Ice Sheet Measurements

Monday 9 October 2000
We have continued heading towards the second sediment trap release site. We arrived in the area late today but conditions are unsuitable to attempt a recovery. Gordon brought the Continuous Plankton Recorder back onboard. See the special report "Continuous Plankton Recorder".

There was a talk this afternoon on the LIDAR by Physicist Andrew – very well attended. Various onboard programs continued.

Tuesday 10 October 2000
Today the winds eased from 55 knots to 35. We remain in the vicinity of the sediment trap in hope of better weather tomorrow so we can retrieve them. Onboard programs continue. Field training postponed due to conditions which have resulted in a quiet ship yet again.

Despite all this bad weather the ships crew have been busy doing their jobs, and doing them very well. See the special report "People on board – ships crew".

Gordon had a few friends in his cabin tonight for a drink to celebrate the doctor’s birthday. Meanie wouldn’t let us have a glass of wine, so OzGold and I had to drink blackcurrant juice and make believe.

Wednesday 11 October 2000
Today the winds dropped and seas calmed so the sediment trap acoustic release was triggered at 1510. The radio transponder on the devices must not be working so we continued a visual search in a grid pattern. We stationed all 82 expeditioners at vantage points around the ship. The sediment traps didn’t have a chance of escaping us!! Keen eyed Marine Geologist Jason spotted the buoys at 1710; by 1730 the transmitter was onboard, the first sediment trap at 1750, the second at 1845, and retrieval complete at 1915.

Thursday 12 October 2000
The Marine Science team prepared the traps and wires overnight for redeployment this morning. Redeployment started at 0810 and was completed at 0947 with the traps located at 53 degrees 44.549 South; 141 degrees 45.685 East. The Continuous Plankton Recorder then commenced its second transect.
After this activity Gordon took OzGold and me to the restaurant for a well deserved hot chocolate and rest. We describe catering arrangements in the special report "Food service".

We are now heading for the Davis Ice Edge with clocks turned back one hour starting the adjustments needed as we travel westwards.