The Voyage Home - Mawson to Hobart.

Dusk.

Conditions for the first few days sailing where overcast with slight seas. After our detour to the algal bloom area where water samples were taken and krill collected, Scott the master of the AA steered an easterly course. This provided more viewing of icebergs however the dull conditions were not good for photographs. The easterly course had us pass north of Davis station and also close to Casey station before heading NE toward Hobart.

Antarctic Petrel

Giant Petrel

Giant Petrels on pancake ice

For the first week birds including Giant, Antarctic, Wilson’s Storm, Cape, and Snow Petrels followed the ship. Others appeared as we went further north including Black Brow and Light Mantled Sooty Albatross and Shearwaters, Crab Eater, Leopard and Weddell seals on ice floes and breaching Fin, Pilot and Humpback whales were also common. But as we moved further north the occasional wandering albatross was all that was seen.

Cape Petrel

Light Mantled Albatross

Wandering Albatross

Black Brow Albatross

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whales

 

Killer Whale

Two emergency musters drills were held on board the ship. The first on the morning after departing Mawson while snow lay on the ships decks and the second on the morning of the 10th March. The muster exercises the emergency evacuation procedures.

Voyage 4 track.

The route once set to the NE passed between low pressure systems in the 50 and 40 latitudes. The better sailing conditions maximised the comfort of passengers as we had mostly following wind and swell. Only for one 24 hour period were conditions moderately rough with 5-6 metre following seas with a side on component. The ships speed was fairly constant at around 15 knots slowing during hours of darkness where ice was present in the early stages of the voyage.

Calling bids for a can of beer!

Knot Board

Haka.

A special night was held on Friday the 9th March - a pizza night, followed by a charity auction for Camp Quality, the ship's charity of choice. Many items were donated for the auction by those on board. The Boson made a number of rope items including a rope knot board, woven rope mats and other nautical rope items, each attracting strong bids. The ships dining room offered up an a la carte 3 course romantic dinner for two with background live music and a meal for one with the ships master in uniform at the Captains table. Top of the list were 4 weeks accommodation in France close to Champagny in the French Alps and a weekend for two at the ANARE Ski club’s lodge at Mt Baw Baw, Victoria. Two Kiwis performed the Haka for a small price to finish off the bidding. By the end of the night just under $10000 had been raised. A trivia night was held on another evening after dinner.

Romantic dinner for two.

The voyage speed was maintained at about 15 knots it became apparent that the arrival time would be earlier than expected. About 4 days out we were advised that at current speed the ship would arrive during the afternoon of Thursday 15th March. We were also advised that the early arrival time would allow the ship to be bunkered (refuelled) at Self Point wharf and therefore a day saved on departure for the turnaround Voyage 5 to Davis station. The only catch was that disembarkation at Self Wharf (a fuel terminal) would mean being bussed to Macquarie 2 Wharf to meet loved ones. The earlier arrival time would also disrupt planned schedules of loved ones coming to Hobart to meet the ship.

As Thursday 15th March dawned, the rugged south east coast of Tasmania rose close to our Port side. As we rounded the southern tip of Tasmania and made our way up the Derwent estuary the smell of eucalyptus leaves and smoke was striking. The hazy air and higher humidity with warmer conditions was also noticeable. It wasn't long until the mobile phones, dormant for a year, were suddenly activated by incoming text messages. That was a signal that civilisation was again in range and phone calls were made thick and fast.

The Pilot arrives

At one point the ship was accompanied by a pod of dolphins surfing the bow wave. As Hobart came into view, the presence of a tourist ship dominated the city skyline. The pilot boat came out to meet the AA and by 10.30 the pilot was on board. He guided the ship under the Tasman bridge and just after 11:00 we tied up at Selfs Point.  

Passing under Tasman Bridge

Selfs Point

Our last lunch was taken on board while customs and Quarantine staff processed passports and entry documentation.





At around midday we disembarked down the gangway of the AA walking down the jetty at Selfs Point to a waiting but that delivered us to Macquarie Wharf No 2 shed 10 minutes later where loved ones awaited our arrival. After a short ceremony welcoming returning expeditioners home and thanking them for their effort the expedition was ended. It was now time to reunite with family and friends.

Disembarking to catch the bus.