sign in sign up
<<
Home , Akademik Shokalskiy, Casey Station, George Ainsworth, MV Xue Long, SY Aurora

AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017

ANTARCTICA valued, protected and understood

www..gov.au message Gales’ Nick penguin estimates penguin on accurate counts Conservation albatross of habits black-browed theLogging feeding giants of ocean life secret reveal cams’ ‘Whale hotspots whale blue Antarctic Mapping research whale advances Partnership Hills Vestfold the in monitoring Infrasound age krill for test Eye CONTENTS troops the Feeding in Antarctica response Emergency first Safety ‘A’ the factor Navigating 22  22 SCIENCE 19  SCIENCE shipping for 5 Ataste OPERATIONS SCIENCE OPERATIONS MESSAGE DIRECTOR’S   life of ocean giants ocean of life secret reveal cams’ ‘Whale in Antarctica in of Meteorology Bureau The

20 19 18 21 16 13 14 11 1 9 7 2 full story on page 16. page on story full the Read whales. of minke humpback and tagging video and of satellite program of abroader part as aminke on whale, tag satellite aLIMPET deploy to prepares Mike Double, Dr scientist, mammal marine Division Antarctic Australian photo, the 2017. in February In Peninsula Antarctic the to voyage research awhale during taken was Brosha Dave photographer Canadian by image This COVER THE ABOUT Aurora SY of voyage final The if...? what Martians: the and Mawson health digital and practice of general future the about truths Cold Davis research station turns 60 60 turns station research Davis IN BRIEF HISTORY ANTARCTIC ART POLAR MEDICINE 32 IN BRIEF FREEZE FRAME endangered plant population critically triples discovery Chance 30 28 26 24 www.antarctica.gov.au/magazine Australian Antarctic Magazinecanbeviewedonline: certified fibre stock. recycled paper;a50%postconsumerwasteandFSC Australian Antarctic MagazineisprintedonMonzasatin ISSN 1445-1735(printversion) Issue 32:June2017 Graphic Design:Giraffe VCM Production: SallyChambers, JessicaFitzpatrick Editor: Wendy Pyper (International 61 362323288) Facsimile: (03)62323288 email: [email protected] (International 61 362323209) Telephone: (03)62323209 Australian Antarctic Division , . Kingston, 7050 203 ChannelHighway Australian Antarctic Division Australian Antarctic Magazine The Editor material, orcontributions, shouldbeaddressed to: Editorial enquiries, includingrequests toreproduce the followingformat‘©Copyright,[nameofthird party]’. efforts toidentifycontentsuppliedbythird partiesusing The CommonwealthofAustralia hasmadeallreasonable Antarctic Magazine,CommonwealthofAustralia 2017. This publicationshouldbeattributedas‘Australian https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. images depictingpeople.Forlicenceconditionssee of Australia, contentsuppliedbythird parties, andany exception oftheCoatArmsCommonwealth Commons Attribution4.0Internationallicence,withthe Commonwealth ofAustralia foruseunderaCreative Australian Antarctic Magazineislicensedbythe © CopyrightCommonwealthofAustralia, 2017 the MinisterforEnvironment andEnergy. do notnecessarilyreflect thoseoftheAustralian Governmentor opinions expressed inthispublicationare thoseoftheauthors and the activitiesofAustralian Antarctic program. Theviewsand the Australian andinternationalAntarctic communityabout and December).Australian Antarctic Magazineseekstoinform Australian Antarctic Magazineisproduced twiceayear(June Australia’s Antarctic nationalinterests are to: programs bothonlandandintheSouthernOcean. Australian research stations, andconductingscientific research Antarctic research program, maintainingfourpermanent Antarctica, providing transport andlogisticsupporttoAustralia’s It doesthisbymanagingAustralian governmentactivityin its visionofhaving‘Antarctica valued,protected andunderstood’. and seekstoadvanceAustralia’s Antarctic interests inpursuit of the Environment andEnergy, leadsAustralia’s Antarctic program The Australian Antarctic Division,aDivisionoftheDepartment AusAntarctic AusAntarctic @AusAntarctic • • • • • • such benefitsfrom miningandoildrilling). non-living resources oftheAntarctic (excludingderiving Derive anyreasonable economicbenefitsfrom livingand region geographically proximate toAustralia. Be informedaboutandabletoinfluencedevelopmentsina political confrontation. Maintain Antarctica’s freedom from strategic and/or special qualitiesandeffectsonourregion. Protect theAntarctic environment, havingregard toits offers forscientific research. Take advantageofthespecialopportunitiesAntarctica offshore areas. Territory, includingoursovereign rightsovertheadjacent Preserve oursovereignty overtheAustralian Antarctic

whales (page16). eight years hasdriveninnovative,non-lethal approaches tostudying Commission’s SouthernOceanResearch Partnership, whichforthepast In thisissuewealsolookatthesuccess oftheInternationalWhaling Whaling Commissioninsupportof whalescienceandconservation. activities willprovide importantinformationtotheInternational Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition(page18).Bothresearch and acoustictracking ofbluewhalesaspartthemulti-disciplinary humpback andminkewhalesofftheAntarctic Peninsula (page19), Whale research wasalsoafeature oftheseason,withworktagging – andwe’llbringyouanupdateinafuture issue. in ice-shelfthinning.Glaciologistsare nowplanningnextseason’s work understand iceshelf processes, includingtherole ofsurfacemeltwater investigations conductedontheTotten andSørsdal glaciers tobetter On thescientificfront, this Antarctic seasonsawa range of people behindtheseimportantroles (pages2-10). at HeadOfficeandinAntarctica. Inthisissueweprofile someofthe our Antarctic operations isthejobofateamhighlytalentedpeople Keeping allourships andaircraft inmotionandensuringthesafety of follow inafuture issueofthismagazine. aviation accesstoAntarctica isalsounderway, andmore detailswill science. Amajorproject toscopeoutthefeasibilityofyear-round in asinglemission.Proving thisconceptisamajorcapabilitystepfor flights tomovethesameamountoffuelasdelivered bytheC17-A aircraft. However, ittakesanextendedweatherwindowandnumerous fuel hasbeenflownintothefieldusinghelicopters orski-equipped an airdrop offueltosupportdeepfieldscience (page 31). Traditionally, Globemaster madesevenflightsinsupportoftheprogram, including the RoyalAustralian AirForce (RAAF).Thispastseason theRAAFC17-A the developmentofaheavy-liftaviationcapability, inassociationwith The Australian Antarctic Program isalsolookingtothefuture through of-the-art . of interest inournewstate- is sure todriveahugeamount hand. Thisextraordinary prize to experienceAntarctica first down toWilkinsAerodrome will beprivilegedtoaflight and secondaryschoolsectors winning classesintheprimary Twelve studentsfrom the to supportingourprogram. of occupationsthatare key leaders, orthehugerange Antarctic scientists, station These studentsare ourfuture associated classroom materialsalignedwiththecurriculum. and tolearnmore abouttheAustralian Antarctic Program through students ingrades 5to8playarole inAustralia’s Antarctic history competition isauniqueandexcitingopportunityforAustralian competition were floodinginfrom schoolsaround Australia. The As thismagazinewenttopress, entriesforthe“NameourIcebreaker” Director From the as theworkitself is asimportant Antarctic activities word aboutour spreading the In myview, Photo: AdamRoberts Director, Australian Antarctic Division Dr NICKGALES research andexploration. we are buildingaverydifferent ship,tosupportanewera ofAntarctic Australia’s reach andinfluenceinAntarctica. Onehundred years on (page 30).TheshipwaskeytoMawson’s expeditionand,asaresult, Aurora, andthelossofhercrew, offthecoastofNewSouthWales the sinkingofAustralasian Antarctic Expedition’s ship,theSY Finally itiswithsadnessthatwemarkthe100th anniversary of fans alongtheway. Antarctica toawhole newaudience,andnodoubtcollectsome merging alienfiction withtheHeroic Ageofexploration, willbring about Antarctica andwrote ablogabouthisadventure. Hisbook, author SeanWilliamscollectedinsightsandinspiration foranovel the Australian Antarctic ArtsFellowship(page26).Speculativefiction prolific andtalentedwordsmith visitCasey research stationaspartof important astheworkitself.Thisseasonwewere fortunatetohavea In myview, spreading theword aboutourAntarctic activitiesisas research applications(page14). Monitoring System,butitwillalsoprovide usefuldataformuchbroader explosions intheatmosphere. ThesitewillformpartofanInternational research stationwillbecomethesite ofamonitoringfacilityfornuclear obligation undertheComprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, Davis and enshrinedintheAntarctic Treaty System.AspartofAustralia’s International collaboration isaninherent partofourwork inAntarctica

1 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 2 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS at theotherend.” field operations andnotforget whatit’s like maintain aconnectionwiththeon-ground “The challengeforusatHeadOfficeisto change andunderstanding people,”hesays. by example,beingflexible,dealingwith skills thattranslate very well, includingleading may notworksowell,butthere are useful “Applying arigid military modeltothisrole experience andtraining to draw on. station, fieldandvoyageleader, hasplentyof Forces Officer, mountaineer, andAntarctic But theformerAustralian ArmySpecial operating asplanned. stations, fieldcamps, andoneortwoships, infrastructure projects, multipleaircraft, four responsibility –keepingupto60scienceand and friendlymannerthatbeliesaheavy each week,withacalmcompetence It’s justoneofmanymeetingsRobbfacilitates operational andscientificpriorities. potential issueswithdeliveringtheseason’s of thepastweek,what’s comingup,andany as participantssummarisethekeyactivities The meetingisshort,sharpandtothepoint, Department ofDefence. Bureau ofMeteorology and representatives from the and MacquarieIsland, three Antarctic stations station leaders from Australia’s medicine. Onthephoneare the planning, engineeringandpolar and fieldoperations, science shipping, aviation,station are theDivision’s expertson Group meeting.Intheroom Season Operation Coordination Clifton, convenestheweekly Operations Manager, Robb Australian Antarctic Division summer seasoninfullswing, With the2016-17 Antarctic ‘A’ factor Navigating the

trust inyourteam.” just havetoputgoodsystemsinplaceand accept risksthatyoudon’tfullycontrol. You uncertainty andbeabletodelegate “You needtobefairlycomfortablewith everything, youwon’tsleepatnight,”hesays. “In thisjob, ifyouneedtocontrol orknow will unfold. with littleornocertaintyaround howhisday tactical work,hestillwakeseverymorning While Robb’s teamundertakemuchofthe the originalobjectivesandoutcomes.” required totweaktheplanandtrymaintain events. Soweeklyandevendailymeetingsare the ‘A’ factor–adverse Antarctic weatheror running adjustments, aswe’re impactedby the seasonstarts, butwealwaysneedtomake “We tryandplanasmuchwecanbefore achieved,” Robbsays. the season’s prioritiesandhowthey’llbe for individualprojects, whichoutline plan anddetailedconceptofoperations groups ofpeople,toestablishabroad season “We spendalotoftimeindiscussionwith sub-Antarctic andSouthernOcean. Program’s operations intheAntarctic, and deliveringtheAustralian Antarctic the world.Theteamisresponsible forplanning many more inHobart,Antarctica andaround , andcoordinates andcollaborates with with anoperations teamofupto20peoplein As Operations Manager, Robbleadsand works

1 journey toWilkinsAerodrome. Helicopters by theJapaneseship,Shirase , foranonward by barge, andthen toCaseytwoweekslater were transferred toMawsonresearch station Meanwhile, personnel stranded ontheship Division’s Airbus(A319). there theywere flownhomeontheAntarctic to McMurdo ontheirLC130aircraft. From the UnitedStatestoflyDavisexpeditioners to recover theseasonwasassistancefrom ship. Amongthecomplexlogisticsrequired who were waitingtoreturn homeonthe on expeditioners atDavisresearch station, affected, theincidenthadadominoeffect at Mawsonresearch stationwere immediately scientists andotherpersonnel ontheshipand aground inHorseshoe Harbour. Whilemarine lines atMawsonduringablizzard andran Aurora Australis broke free ofitsmooring Later thatseason,inFebruary2016, the season backontrack. get thesickexpeditionersafelyhomeand ‘Crisis ManagementandRecovery’mode,to headquarters andonstation,swunginto supply servicesandothers attheDivision’s operations team,alongsidepolarmedicine, cooled theirheelsinHobartforsixdays, the Australia. Whileexpeditioners boundforDavis Island fellill,requiring repatriation to departure whenanexpeditioneronMacquarie of theseasonwasjusthours awayfrom October 2015, forexample,thefirst voyage Over theyears theteamhasbeentested.In Testing times 1. Program’s operations. (AAD) plans anddelivers theAustralian Antarctic Manager, RobbClifton,manages ateamthat Australian Antarctic DivisionOperations

2 more intense.” business-as-usual model,butit’s fasterand goals withlessresources? It’s abitlikeour solutions. Howdowekeep achievingour personnel –toget thejobdoneanddevise – helicopters, fixed-wingaircraft, ships, about coordination ofthe different parts “Even duringacrisis, alotofourworkis know ourroles,” hesays. “We haveaclearstructure where weall most years, andrecover abadone. allows theteamtodeliveragoodseasonin a flexibleapproach toachievingthosegoals, with externalstakeholders, cleargoals, and crisis managementplans, strong relationships Robb saysstandard operating procedures, skeleton crew. and deemedsafetoreturn homewitha Aurora Australis wasassessedfordamage situation evolved.Last,butnotleast,the assets were developedanddiscarded asthe Multiple contingencyplansfordifferent medical needsandstationfoodsupplies. things asmarinepollution,wildlifeimpacts, plans were beingimplemented,coveringsuch place, arange ofbehind-the-scenessupport While thebigpuzzlepieceswere fallinginto returned toAustralia. by theChineseshipXueLongfrom Davisand remaining peopleandcargo were collected Australian DefenceForce’s C17aircraft, and were returned toAustralia from Wilkinsbythe 2. (Gary Kuehn) traverse intothemountains, from Mawson. field. Thisphotoshows thebeginningofa 20 scientistsspendingthree monthsinthe and Australia in2003,whichinvolvedsome Charles MountainsExpeditionofGermany including asaFieldLeaderforthePrince Robb hasawealthofexperienceinAntarctica,

3 3. allowing countriestodomore with less. the costofoperating in Antarctica and financial andoperational advantages, reducing is criticalinanemergency, butitalsohas enshrined intheAntarctic Treaty, which It’s allpartofthespiritcooperation Basler totheNewZealandprogram.” at . Andthisyearwesub-chartered our program from CapeTown totheirrunway even provided A319 flightstotheNorwegian Station byChineseorAustralian Basler. We’ve to Wilkinsandthenacross toZhongshan We flyChineseexpeditioners ontheAirbus flights betweenChristchurch andMcMurdo. “We provide ourA319 totheUnitedStatesfor Concordia,” Robbsays in return we’llflyFrench expeditioners to L’Astrolabe toresupply MacquarieIsland,and “Most seasonsweutilisetheFrench ship expertise. planes, traverse capabilitiesandmedical such aswholeaircraft orships, seatson and NewZealandprograms, sharingresources, Italian, American,Japanese,Chinese,Indian too. Australia workscloselywithFrench, partners playsakeyrole intheteam’s success Cooperation withinternationalAntarctic Cooperative spirit test. (Brett Free) Crisis Management andRecoveryteamtothe season planintochaos andputtheskillsof a blizzard atMawsoninearly2016, threw the The grounding oftheAurora Australis during 4. integrated, flexibleand busy.” each other. Soouroperations are nowmore and allthestationsare heavilyconnectedto aircraft from ourheadquarters atKingston, the stationleaders. Nowwe’re dispatching quarantined toindividualstationsandrunby “Previously, operations were essentially way weoperate inAntarctica,” Robbsays. “Aviation hascausedaparadigm shiftinthe into deepfield. 2016, theC17-Awasusedtoairdrop supplies Antarctic Magazine30:24-25,2016). Inlate that’s toobigtofitintheA319 (Australian and retrieve heavyvehiclesandoutsizecargo their heavy-liftC17-AGlobemastertodeliver with theRoyalAustralian AirForce touse recently, theAntarctic Divisionhaspartnered or smalleraircraft onceinAntarctica. More and Antarctica, withconnectionstoships people andcargo toflowbetweenAustralia between stations. TheA319 allowsmore increasing useofTwin OtterandBasleraircraft Hobart andWilkinsAerodrome in2007, and intercontinental flights(viatheA319) between the past10 years, sincethe introduction of Antarctica haveincreased significantlyover Australia’s operational capabilitiesin Changing capabilities media inacrisis. (Jessica Fitzpatrick) Part ofRobb’s role involvesaddressing the

4

3 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS

4 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS 5 and outbyair.” scientific samplescanbemoved quickly in site, whilepeople,lighterequipment,and get heavyequipmentintoaremote field very powerful.Thetraverse allowsyouto Basin icecoringproject in2014, wouldbe such astheoneusedduringourAurora “I thinkacombinedaviation-traverse model, old icecore,” Robbsays. such asourambitiontodrillamillion-year enable ustosupportdeepfieldprojects “Getting atraverse capabilitybackwill capability mightlooklike. to determinewhatanAustralian traverse a scopingproject iscurrently underway Division’s traverse capabilitiesreturn, and 2016). RobbisalsokeentoseetheAntarctic (Australian Antarctic Magazine31: 2-6, icebreaker intotheoperations modelin2021 busier withtheintegration ofthenew Things are settobecomeawholelot team hasthesecovered. points. ButRobbsaysthe Antarctic Division complex seasons, which means more pressure succession. Itallmakesforbusierandmore technologies comingon-board inrapid arrangements, operational capabilitiesand Antarctic Program, withnewcooperative It’s anexcitingtimefortheAustralian 5. foreground) onceinAntarctica. (Tony Fleming) ships orsmalleraircraft (suchastheBasler, Australia andAntarctica, withconnectionsto allows more peopleandcargo toflowbetween Antarctic operations. TheA319 (background) Aviation hasrevolutionised Australia’s

6 Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER all down.” but it’s criticalthatattimesyoucanshutit interesting andexcitingjobwherever youare, the organisation. Technology letsyoudo an other’s. That’s vitalformyownhealthand other peoplecancomeinanddomyjobor put goodsystemsinplacetoensure that else tobethesinglepointoffailure. Sowe’ve “The lastthingIwantisformeoranyone 6. station, Concordia. (George Bettingham-Moore) Antarctic expeditioners totheFrench-Italian each year. Inreturn, Australia fliessomeFrench ship L’Astrolabe, toresupply MacquarieIsland Division charters theFrench Antarctic resupply Australia andFrance, theAustralian Antarctic As partofcooperative arrangements between

1 back since. group forsixmonths. Shehasn’tlooked In 2009shewasaskedtojointhe shipping management roles. Coordinator atCasey, andinvariousvoyage Expeditioner LiaisonOfficer, an Operations in finance,property and reception, asan working invariousHeadOfficepositions try anythingandworkhard atit. Thisincluded What Leannedidhavewasawillingnessto definite planorcareer path.” just fellintothingsfrom there. Ineverhada “I endeduphere permanently andthenI section openedup,andtherest ishistory. a permanentpositionintheDivision’s records Australian Taxation Office.Justbefore sheleft, selection examsandwasoffered ajobwiththe however, LeannesatthePublicServicemerit With nofirmemploymentcommitment, temporary jobsastheycameup,”shesays. records sectionandthenIkeptapplying for I cameinona17weektraining schemeinthe “I hadnoideaaboutAntarctica whenIstarted. the absenceofaplan. example ofhowacareer canunfold,evenin longest servingstaffmemberandagood Antarctic Division,Leanneisnowthesecond- After almost35years withtheAustralian shipping. enviable career inAntarctic Leanne Millhousehashadan resigned toworkingintaxation, For someonewhowasonce forshipping A taste

2 thrown atyou.” really havetoadjustthecircumstances on planAbutyou’llendup D.You but itdoesapplytothisjob. You mightstart “You heartheterm‘flexible’bandiedabout, Macquarie Islandtorefuel. we hadtoorganise aseparate voyageto working through theproblem. Ultimately, at thetime,soIspentalotoftimeonemail equipment wasmissing.MybossinEurope the Voyage Leadersayingtherefuelling “Two daysafterthe shipleftIgotacallfrom way backtorefuel thestation,” Leannesays. scheduled tostopatMacquarieIslandonthe “The shipwasonitswaytoCaseyand headed . got leftbehindinHobart,astheship 10 footrefuelling containerandhosereel “baptism offire”. Onherfirst timeon-call,a recalls herfirst experienceonthejobas a While Leanneisaseasonedhandnow, she and briefings. on theship,andassistingwiththeirtraining have everythingtheyneedtodotheirjob voyage managementteam,ensuringthey when itisinport.Shealsotakescare ofthe to manageaccessandactivitiesontheship Leanne isnowaShippingOfficer, helping contribution isdifferent,” shesays. where everyonehasacontributionandevery environment, andIenjoybeingpartofateam feet allthetime.Butit’s averysupportive “It’s hard workandyou’re thinkingonyour back toCasey,” shesays. didn’t knowwhetherwe’dbeabletocome equipment we’dleaveatthestation.Andwe on totheshipthatweneeded,andwhat on orofftheship,howwe’dgeteverything had tostopandworkoutwhoneededbe “We were inthemiddleofrefuelling sowe stricken vesselcamethrough. research stationwhenthecalltoassist the overseeing resupply operations atCasey Leanne wasonboard theAurora Australis vessel MV AkademikShokalskiy. Commonwealth Bay, onboard theRussian expedition becametrapped inseaicenear memorable…the yearatouristandscientific Leader inDecember2013 wassimilarly Leanne’s first experienceasa Voyage 3. 2. 1. (Robert Reeves) the NellaDan(pictured), departedHobart. atmosphere prevailed whenships,suchas strict safetyprotocols. Inthepast,afestive tighter securityaround thewharfarea and since shefirst wentsouthin1985,including Leanne hasseenmanychangesinshipping rescue craft. (JessicaFitzpatrick) passengers across theseaicetoawaiting Here, experiencedfieldtraining officers guide stuck inseaicenearCommonweathBay. the AkademikShokalskiywhenitbecame involved therescue of52passengers from Leanne’s first tripasa Voyage Leader taxation. (JessicaFitzpatrick) Antarctic career afterpassingupajobin Leanne Millhousehashadarewarding

3

5 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS

6 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS 4 were laughing.” the factthatwhentheyleftouroffice to ourofficeforachat. We were proud of Voyage LeaderandIwouldhavepeopleup to talkandmostafternoonstheDeputy was exhausting.Alotofpeoplejustneeded “From apeople-managementperspective it Leanne says. them andtryingtoprovide alevelofcomfort,” to themessforsomethingeat,sittingwith passengers onthedeck,guidingthemdown and theyallhadajob–greeting the “There were about40peopleontheAurora transfer themtotheAurora Australis . the iceandusedafastrescue craft asaliftto Australian teamguidedthepassengers across the Shokalskiytoanicefloe.From there the MV XueLongtoflythe52passengers from with aChinesehelicopterteamfrom the Once theyreached thescenetheyworked crew andateamatHeadOffice. and watercraft operations, aswelltheship’s glaciology, search andrescue, seaicetravel Leanne andfellowexpeditioners withskillsin of theAurora Australis , withassistancefrom The rescue operation wasrunbytheMaster shipping operations. Leanne hasseenmanychangesinAntarctic Since herfirst voyagein 1985ontheIceBird, their jobs.” everyone hastheinformationtheyneedtodo “The keyismanagingrelationships toensure need done,butnothowtodoit. closely withthecrew. You tell themwhatyou “As aDeputyVoyage LeaderIworkmore resupply orresponding toanemergency. team toachieveanobjective,whetherthatbe people toprovide advice.We’re allworkingasa “I don’tknoweverythingandI’mhappyfor but sherelies onaraft ofexperts. decision-maker onvoyagemanagementissues, my ankles”. AsVoyage Leader, Leanneisthe operations andlogisticsisstillonly“upto Leanne saysherknowledgeofAntarctic Voyage Leader. Despiteheryears ofexperience twice asatrainee andtherest asaDeputy 13 voyages:three timesasaVoyage Leader, Leanne hasworkedinvoyagemanagementon

5 Corporate Communications WENDY PYPER the newshiparrivesin2020-21. ruled outashotatvoyagemanagementwhen shipping andoperations teamsandshehasn’t her regular catch-upsovercoffeewiththe in afewyears’ time.Butsheplanstocontinue she joinedallthoseyears agowhensheretires Leanne willmissthe“smallfamilybusiness” Safety isournumberonepriority.” documented instandard operating procedures. safety anddutyofcare andthey’re all changed. We havemore processes around a reflection ofhowtheentire worldhas “Security hastightenedupsincethen.It’s champagne corkspopping,”shesays. in. There were streamers, bandsplayingand you couldjustturnupwhenashipcame “I remember whenthere were nofencesand 5. 4. operations. (JessicaFitzpatrick) safety culture ofAustralia’s Antarctic Regular musters are a criticalpartofthe of theAurora Australis duringavoyage. Leanne conductsamusterdrillonthe deck (Wayne Papps) the RussianshipKapitan Khlebnikov. ship L’Astrolabe , theAurora Australis and Since thenshehassailedontheFrench aboard theIceBird (nowthePolar Bird). Leanne’s first tripsouthin1985was

1 annually orinthe interim,asneeded.” manuals forfieldoperations, whichwe review in emergency response andwehavearange of procedures thatare international bestpractice “We’ve putinplacealotofpoliciesand Martin said. the past10 years that’s workingwellforus,” “We’ve beddeddown agoodsystemover preparedness, response andrecovery. of emergency management –prevention, and training systems, andthefourpillars standard operating procedures, fieldmanuals Underpinning theseactivitiesisaraft of and Recovery(CMR)training. coordinates theDivision’s CrisisManagement and emergency response training system,and field training officers, runstheDivision’s field Coordinator, Martinrecruits andmanages Support andEmergency Management As theAustralian Antarctic Division’s Field is wellprepared. Scottish highlands, MartinBoyle outdoor leaderintherugged Emergency Serviceandasan with experienceintheState is abigresponsibility. But Keeping peoplesafeinAntarctica first Safety opportunities arise. research station,andhetriestogosouthwhen operator, andOperations Coordinator atCasey had stintsasaVoyage Leader, watercraft However, overthepastnineyears hehas saw himdrawn intoadeskjobatHeadOffice. his skillsinemergency management soon Australian Antarctic Program asanFTO, but Martin spenthisfirst seasonwith the recreational travel offstation. research oversummer, andmayfacilitate The FTOs alsoguide partiesconductingfield emergency response training (seepage9). are responsible forrunningthefieldand Once theygettoAntarctica theFTOs quads, Hägglunds andsmallboats.” technical rope rescue, andfieldtravel using training inlandsearch andrescue techniques, “We alsoprovide FTOs withpre-departure he said. Antarctic expeditioners across theProgram,” allows themtoprovide consistenttraining to how theAntarctic Program works. Thisthen environment, training frameworks, and need themtounderstand theoperational some haveneverbeentoAntarctica. Sowe “We giveourFTOs contextualtraining, as to provide this. to theAntarctic Program, andit’s Martin’s role may needsupplementalskillstraining, relevant mountaineering orclimbing.However, some relevant totheirvariouspursuits, suchas with a“standard bagoftricks”andotherskills skilled outdoors-people cometotheDivision a criticalcoginthesafetywheel.Thesehighly The Antarctic fieldtraining officers (FTOs) are

2 challenging todothejob,” hesaid. know are involvedinan incident, itismore family, andit’s afactthatwhenpeopleyou “The Australian Antarctic Program islikea emergency management skillsare calledon. be adouble-edgedsword inacrisis, whenhis of thehighpointsMartin’s role, butitcan and otherexpeditioners heworks withisone Maintaining closerelationships withtheFTOs ground,” hesaid. job, andreconnect withthepeopleon to goAntarctica aspartofmynormalday of yourwork.NowwiththeAirlink,it’s easier skills andyourunderstanding ofthecontext “It’s importanttogosouthrefresh your 2. 1. in thesafetywheel are acriticalcog training officers The Antarctic field training officerinAntarctica. (Todor Iolovski) technical rope rescue techniquesfrom afield Expeditioners learnsearch andrescue and Australian Antarctic Division.(MartinBoyle) Emergency ManagementCoordinator atthe Martin BoyleistheFieldSupportand

7 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS

8 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS 3 come eerilytofruition. developed byMartin,someofwhich have through annualpre-season training exercises, number oftimesovertheyears, including The CMRteamhasbeencalledtogether a to approve.” and briefedtheExecutivewithaplanforthem The CMRteamthendecidedonawayforward, situational awareness oftheoverall operation. report backtothe CMRteam,soeveryonehad the optionswiththesedifferent groups and recovery plans. Myrole wastoworkthrough supply services, developing response and in shipping,aviation,fuelspill,cargo and “When theshipran aground wehadteams broader CMRprocess. of sub-teamsandfeedthatbackintothe operational response developedbyarange 2016 –Martin’s role istocoordinate the at Mawsonresearch stationinearly as whentheAurora Australis ran aground management events. DuringaCMR–such strong relationships withcolleagues incrisis Martin relies onprocess, experience,and

4 Australian Antarctic Division WENDY PYPER rapidly change,whichkeepsyouonyourtoes.” complex environment andthesituationcan to pulloutofyourbackpocket.We workina one that’s used.You needafewplansready “The first planyou developgenerally isn’tthe coming upwithsolutions. challenge ofthinkingthrough problems and Despite thestresses, Martinenjoysthe actually occurred.” scenario atMacquarieIsland,adaybefore one Casey. We’ve alsoworkshoppedanearthquake our pre-season exercise wasagrounding at “Before theshipran aground atMawson Defence, toworkshoptheproblem,” hesaid. Australian MaritimeSafetyAuthorityand P&O Maritime,Bureau ofMeteorology, stakeholders, suchasHelicopterResources, the season,andwebringtogetherall or anenvironment we’re workinginduring representative ofaproject we’re undertaking “I generally pickascenariothatwouldbe 4. 3. training inTasmania. (BarryBecker) Expeditioners undertakesmallboat broke inablizzard. (Brett Free) Mawson (pictured) whenitsmooringlines Later intheseasonshipgrounded at involved theshipgrounding atCaseystation. the CrisisManagementandRecoveryteam One ofMartin’s pre-season exercises for its ownactivities in theAntarctic, andwhere Division isresponsible forcoordinating SARfor and search andrescue support.TheAntarctic for response tomajorenvironmental incidents which outlinesthecooperation arrangements memorandum ofunderstanding withAMSA The Australian Antarctic Divisionhasa beacon system. for theCOSPAS-SARSAT satellitedistress The RCCisalsothenationalmonitoringcentre maritime response tothe coastofAntarctica. response asfarsouth astheSouthPole, and Centre (RCC)isresponsible foranyaviation Safety Authority(AMSA)RescueCoordination Antarctic Territory. TheAustralian Maritime million square kilometres oftheAustralian surface. Thisincludesthemajorityofsix an area nearlyone-tenth oftheworld’s proposition. TheAustralian SARregion covers makes search andrescue (SAR)adifficult It istheremoteness oftheAntarctic that extreme environment. across large geographical distancesinsuchan for emergency response andevacuation assistance from otherprograms canbecrucial despite thenumberofnationsinvolved,and The Antarctic communityisrelatively small, other intimesofneed,where practicable. principle thatallAntarctic nationsassisteach emergency coordination. Itisalong-standing Group, toshare informationonlogisticsand the EastAntarctic Emergency Coordination and Indiannationalprograms havecreated French, Italian,Chinese,Japanese,Russian any emergency response. TheAustralian, across thecontinentcanbeessentialduring Mutual aidfrom othernationalprograms cooperation andinteroperability. was amajorstepforward inmulti-national Contingency PlanninginAntarctica’ which and GuidelinesforEmergency Responseand COMNAP members developedthe‘Framework systems, andexchangeinformation.In2004, opportunities tobuildrelationships, develop these nationstogethertofacilitateandprovide National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)brings framework. TheCouncilofManagers of with theirownemergency management bases anddepotsacross thecontinent,each There are 30nationalprograms withstations, Crisis managementandemergency response inAntarctica canbeexceptionallychallenging. Emergency responseinAntarctica the Shokalskiyto Aurora Australis using stuck, 52passengers were transferred from breaking theshipout.Sevendaysaftergetting to penetrate thethickseaicetoassistin Australis toarriveonscene,butitwasunable abandon ship.Ittookfivedaysfor theAurora by icebergs, withthepossibilityofhavingto out ofthepackiceandwasbeing threatened The Shokalskiywasunabletomakeitsway USCGC Polar Star. ships, MVXueLong, L’Astrolabe and along withothernationalAntarctic program was taskedbytheRCCtoassistvessel, commenced, whentheRSVAurora Australis station waswellunderwayandrefuelling had at CommonwealthBay. Theresupply atCasey MV AkademikShokalskiynearMawson’s Huts when adistress callwas received from the This wasthecaseonChristmasday2013, multinational effort. take alongtimeandwouldmostlikelybe weather, thereality isthatanyrescue could area tocover, lackofresources andextreme Australian Antarctic Territory. Giventhehuge beacons from aland-basedsource inthe incidents reported byAMSA,includingdistress practicable, responding toland-basedSAR

1 Program. Onstationandvoyages, an and seasonrecovery for the Antarctic incident butalsothelogisticalimplications overarching strategic response tothe activated. TheCMRteamnotonlymanages at HeadOfficeinKingston, Tasmania is Management andRecovery(CMR)team liaison andmediamanagement,theCrisis that require logisticalcoordination, family to thesizeofincident.Duringincidents with coordination atthe levelappropriate on astrategic (tactical)operational model, The Australian Antarctic Program works the vessel. and theUnitedStatessendingassetstoassist national programs ofAustralia, ,France was atrulymulti-nationalresponse withthe landing padwascreated closetotheship.This a ChineseKA32helicopter, afteraseaice 1. the Australian ship.(JessicaFitzpatrick) thick seaicein2013, from aseaicefloe onto , whichbecametrapped in passengers from thestrickenRussianvessel The Aurora Australis’ fastrescue craft lifts

9 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 OPERATIONS 3 Annual shopping list for all stations (2016–17) Total frozen and +4°C food (no dry goods) 51 976 kg 2. Expeditioners undertake search and rescue (SAR) training using quad bikes and Bacon 1310 kg Hägglunds at Casey. (Martin Boyle) Beef eye fillet 457 kg 3. The Mawson research station fire team. Prior to deploying to Antarctica, wintering Chicken 2961 kg expeditioners receive two weeks of emergency Feeding response training in incident management, fire, Frozen peas 864 kg and search and rescue. They receive further Ice cream 1980 litres training once in Antarctica and continue their the troops training through regular drills. (Shane Ness) Coffee beans 546 kg

When the closest supermarket Potatoes 4800 kg is more than 4000 kilometres 2 4 Fresh eggs (oiled) 34 560 away, and resupply is just once Chocolate 864 kg a year, getting the shopping list right for Australia’s Cheese 2262 kg Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Toilet paper 1920 rolls stations is crucial. 1 2 From Christmas feasts to the traditional mid- winter dinner, the man charged with ensuring everything is on the table is Australian Antarctic Division Chefs’ Adviser, Noel Tennant. “Life on station pretty much revolves around 4. The Australian Antarctic Division conducts food,” Noel said. “Meals bring variety and collaborative emergency response exercises, excitement to the expeditioners’ lives, such as this Antarctic medical evacuation particularly during the long dark winter exercise with the Royal Australian Air Force months when it can become a bit like Aero-Medical Evacuation Squadron, on board ground-hog day. a C17-A aircraft bound for Wilkins Aerodrome. (David Said/RAAF) “Food is also the first layer of defence, to warm the body against the cold, so getting the right amount and type of food is essential.”

Incident Management Team is stood up and Rescue Institute of . In 2007 over-snow vehicle. During the winter these The Division has an annual catering budget of using the Australasian Inter-service Incident the Australian Antarctic Division, Antarctica vehicles are kept in a temperature controlled $1.3 million for 12 months. This means today’s emergency vehicle shelter. This means vehicles expeditioners can enjoy greater variety and Management System. Each station has a New Zealand and the United States Antarctic “Fresh eggs are oiled with paraffin before they “We pack everything very carefully in can be deployed immediately, without the more appetising fare than the “hoosh” (stewed multi-disciplinary Emergency Response Program developed a joint Antarctic Search are sent south, which essentially seals the shell refrigerated containers and use ozone need to warm or deblizz them. Helicopters, pemmican and sledging biscuits) relied on by Team that responds to fire, SAR, fuel spill and Rescue Training Manual, which supports and stops the egg from going off. generators in transit, to keep bacteria and fixed-wing aircraft and inflatable rubber boats early Antarctic explorers. and medical incidents. Rostered teams of interoperability in technical search and fungi at bay,” he said. six expeditioners, led by a Team Leader, are rescue across the programs. may also be used to support operations if “I work out the average amount of food a “In the dairy department, all the milk is OPERATIONS OPERATIONS on-call for a period of usually two weeks. A conditions and availability permits. powdered and the yoghurt is made from “We also put ‘ethyl stoppers’ in the The Emergency Response Team continue person would eat over a year, then I round up,” Fire Chief and SAR Leader are also chosen freeze-dried cultures. We mainly use hard and containers of fresh fruit and vegetables, their training throughout the winter with Over the history of the Australian Antarctic Noel explained. from the wintering team and are responsible semi-hard cheeses that are more likely to last to slow the ripening process. Ethylene is a series of drills and exercises across the Program the skills and attributes of these for continuation training, maintaining “We have to have some ‘fat’ in our stores, 12 months.” produced by fresh food, such as bananas, various disciplines. Practicing a station muster emergency response teams have been tested equipment and team rostering. because we could end up with more people on when it ripens, which accelerates the during many difficult missions. Incidents such The food is generally not plate ready and most is critical to the safety of all expeditioners. station at any time, if the ship is late or people ripening of everything else around it.” 32 2017 32 2017 Prior to deploying to Antarctica, wintering When the fire or SAR alarm is activated, all as finding people lost in blizzards, responding get stuck because of bad weather.” things have to be made from scratch. The kitchen at all the stations is a focal expeditioners receive two weeks of expeditioners make their way to a central point to quad bike accidents, aircraft crashes, and “We provide a lot of base ingredients that take ISSUE ISSUE The station shopping list includes about point and social hub for expeditioners, emergency response training in incident and await instructions. Each person has a tag vessel groundings in extreme conditions have time to prepare; for example the chefs have to 52 000 kg of frozen and fresh fruit and so getting the right chef is central to the management, fire, and SAR. Some on the muster board that is colour coded. provided challenges that are difficult for the make bread and pastry daily, but this also gives vegetables. Any fresh produce has to have happiness of the team. expeditioners may have developed prior skills White for on and red for off station. As they uninitiated to comprehend. It is a testament to them more scope to produce different dishes.” sets with fire and emergency services, or on assemble, each person takes their white tag the courage and professionalism of Australian a long shelf life. previous deployments, however most will and those left on the board should all be red. Antarctic expeditioners that they are able “We send a lot of potatoes, carrots, apples The journey by ship across the notoriously be new to emergency response. When they In the event that an expeditioner is missing, a to respond to the demands of the Antarctic and citrus south. We tend to steer away rough can take a toll on the arrive in Antarctica, in addition to survival station search will be conducted, methodically environment and assist those in need when from soft fruit and vegetables that spoil condition the food arrives in, so Noel and his 1. Antarctic chefs need to be solid all- and field travel training, they get a further searching each building and outlying area until called upon. easily,” Noel said. team have developed a range of methods to rounders, producing ‘home-style’ food as seven days of land search and technical they are found. Meanwhile the Emergency ensure the supplies arrive in top condition. well as being able to pull out all stops for rescue, conducted by professional Field Response Team does an initial investigation in MARTIN BOYLE special occasions. (Jessica Fitzpatrick) Training Officers. The technical SAR training the case of a fire, or starts planning for a field Field Support and Emergency Management 2. Casey Chef Eddie Dawson plating up pork AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN is based on techniques taught by the Search SAR. Depending on the nature of the SAR a hasty team may deploy using quad bikes, while Coordinator, Australian Antarctic Division belly, saffron pommes fondant and 11 10 the rest of the team follow up in a Hägglunds red cabbage for a mid-winter lunch. (Peter Hargreaves) 3 Eye test for krill age For the first time scientists have been able to determine the age of Antarctic krill by counting the growth bands in their eyestalks.

1 3

2

4

While they don’t have to be Michelin starred “Our chefs generally work five and a The research, published PLOS ONE in “Krill don’t have any hard parts, such as The age-based assessment methods will chefs, they do need to be solid all-rounders, half days a week and are rostered off on February, found krill grow annual bands ear bones, shells or scales, so we can’t provide information on stock structure to producing more ‘home-style’ food. They also Sundays. On the rest day the ‘slushy’ usually in their eyestalks, much like growth rings determine age using these calcified assist with catch limits and management need to be able to step it up when there are steps in to fill the void, or it will be a ‘catch in trees, and these correlate directly with structures. Additionally, there’s almost no options for the krill fishery through the big social occasions, such as the traditional and kill’ affair, with expeditioners fending their age. size difference in krill beyond two years of Commission for the Conservation of mid-winter feast, Christmas or birthday for themselves,” Noel said. age, and their regular moult means they Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Australian Antarctic Division krill biologist, celebrations. can actually shrink in size, depending on the Most importantly, chefs must manage their Dr So Kawaguchi, said it’s a remarkable “Krill are a keystone species in the Southern time of year and food availability.” Each station has one winter chef, while there supplies carefully so that they don’t use up all finding. Ocean, predated by penguins, seals, flying are two extra chefs at Davis and Casey over the their ingredients within the first month. The new method, pioneered on larger seabirds and whales, so any fishery needs to be “Despite more than 50 years of research, busy summer period, when the kitchen can be crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs, involves carefully managed,” Dr Kawaguchi said. “If you run out of an ingredient you can’t just until now it’s been impossible to accurately catering for up to 100 hungry expeditioners. looking at the eyestalks under a microscope. ring up a supplier, you have to be innovative assess the longevity of krill and the age “The Southern Ocean is also undergoing OPERATIONS The kitchens provides four meals a day, and resourceful in what you can produce from structure of their populations,” he said. “We look at a longitudinal section of the major changes in the sea-ice zone, in primary SCIENCE including morning tea. Casey serves nearly a finite Antarctic pantry.” eyestalk to identify the light and dark production and through ocean acidification, 5 56 000 meals each year, while Davis plates up growth bands and count exactly how many so a better understanding of how long they about 47 000, Mawson 22 000 and Macquarie years the specimen has been alive.” live will help us more accurately predict the NISHA HARRIS Island around 27 000. potential impacts of on krill.” The ageing technique has also been Corporate Communications 1. A new technique allows scientists 32 2017 successfully used on formalin-preserved The research is a joint project* of the Australian 32 2017 to age krill by counting the annual samples, which means scientists can Antarctic Division, the National Ocean and

ISSUE growth bands in their eyestalks. ISSUE accurately determine the age of preserved Atmospheric Administration (USA), University The compound eye is removed krill from the early 1900s. of New Brunswick (Canada), Port of Nagoya 3. Meals bring variety and and the remaining eyestalk is cut Public Aquarium and the National Research excitement to expeditioners’ lives, longitudinally to reveal the bands. “The ability to retrospectively age krill allows Institute of Far Seas Fisheries (Japan). It was particularly during the long dark Scale bar indicates 200 µm. (R. us to compare length-at-age over time and partly funded through a grant from the winter months. Here Macquarie Kilada, University of New Brunswick) across environments, to examine changes Antarctic Wildlife Research Fund (Australian Island expeditioners enjoy a in the Southern Ocean ecosystem,” Dr 2. Annual growth bands indicated Antarctic Magazine 29: 5, 2015). mid-winter banquet. (AAD) Kawaguchi said. by dots in this eyestalk show the 4. Bacon is one of the most popular krill was three years old. Scale The scientists studied both wild and known- NISHA HARRIS foods on the Antarctic menu. bar indicates 20 µm. (R. Kilada, age captive krill, bred in the Australian (Stuart Shaw) University of New Brunswick) Antarctic Division krill aquarium and the Australian Antarctic Division

AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN Japanese Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium. MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN 5. Noel Tennant, Adviser to 3. Dr So Kawaguchi in the krill *Australian Antarctic Science Project 4037 13 12 Antarctic and sub-Antarctic aquarium at the Australian chefs. (Jessica Fitzpatrick) Antarctic Division. (Glenn Jacobson)

1 2 4

The three high voltage power cables and an armoured fibre optic communications cable were installed by early February and power and communications to the infrasound site became operational.

Array element Infrasound facility Another goal was to install at least one of 3 the array sensing node vaults so that the The infrasound facility at Davis (Figure 1) will internal temperature and battery health within be a seven element monitoring array (typical the insulated stainless steel vaults could be array shown in Figure 2) designed to detect monitored during the 2017 winter. Four of atmospheric disturbances at infrasound the seven vaults have been installed, partially frequencies. The seven sensing nodes of the buried at their specific sites. Only array site array will be situated in the Vestfold Hills two has been connected to monitor the system and cover an area approximately 0.5 km². performance, but none of the array sites Three nodes will form an outer triangle with have their ‘rosettes’ (sound detection tubes) sides approximately one kilometre long, and The ‘infrasound monitoring facility’ (IS03) is Infrasound monitoring is an important installed as yet. being installed by the Australian Antarctic technology for detecting and locating four nodes will form a central quadrilateral Infrasound Division in conjunction with Geoscience nuclear explosions in the atmosphere. with sides approximately 300 m long. Next steps Australia, to meet Australia’s obligations The attenuation of sound waves in the The sensing array will also require under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban atmosphere is frequency dependent and construction of supporting infrastructure The stability of the internal environment at the Treaty (CTBT). The facility will form part of infrasound signals (0.001-20 Hz) can monitoring by the Antarctic Division: A 925 kg mini excavator was slung to site CPDF building and the array site two vault will an International Monitoring System (IMS) propagate over large distances, reaching by helicopter, as the site is well away from be monitored over the 2017 winter. During the of 337 facilities around the world, to verify altitudes in the atmosphere of more than • a Central Power Distribution Facility (CPDF) any access roads or tracks. Placement of the 2017–18 summer the remaining vaults will be compliance to the Treaty. Twenty one facilities 100 km. – a small, pre-fabricated building located in the six footings and the steel frame was also installed, along with the rosettes, and all array near the centre of the sensing-node array, will be in Australia, including the Australian sites connected back to the CPDF building. The usefulness of infrasound data is also containing the centralised uninterruptible undertaken by heli-sling loading. The building Antarctic Territory. Once this work is complete a certification much broader than the study of explosive power supply for the sensing nodes; was up and clad by the end of December. sources for CTBT verification. Infrasound data However, before the cladding could be process will be undertaken and a six-month- SCIENCE Vestfold Hills SCIENCE International Monitoring System is also used in detecting and characterising a • a Central Recording Facility (a rack of completed the four control and uninterruptible long commissioning phase can commence. range of natural phenomena, including: electronic equipment housed in the power supply cabinets needed to be installed – By late 2018 the facility should be live for The first stage of a facility to The IMS network has been designed Operations building at Davis); each weighing more than 250 kg. detection. for detection threshold capability of • atmospheric disturbances such as auroras, monitor nuclear explosions approximately 1kt TNT-equivalent. To fulfil thunderstorms, tornadoes, bolides (very • power infrastructure (3.3 kV to 415 V AC) Over January and February the building bright meteors), upper-atmospheric connecting the CPDF to the internal electrical systems and heating and MARK PEKIN 32 2017 in the atmosphere was the global detection capability objective of 32 2017 constructed in the Vestfold the Treaty, infrasound facility IS03 has been lightning and volcanic eruptions; power supply; and cooling systems were installed. The building is Engineer, Australian Antarctic Division

ISSUE specifically located near Davis to contribute now being monitored for power demand and ISSUE • earth-atmosphere coupled disturbances • communication (optic fibre) infrastructure Hills, some five kilometres from to coverage of the eastern Antarctic, Southern internal temperature. including earthquakes, volcanic activity, connecting the CPDF to the Davis Ocean and southern Indian Ocean regions. Davis, this Antarctic summer. avalanches; and communications system. Cable haul As part of the IMS, Australia also has To deliver power to the CPDF building, • ocean-atmosphere coupled signals from 2. Figure 2. Schematic of a typical radionuclide detection facilities at Mawson electrical transformers were installed at the phenomena including tsunamis, ocean Progress so far array site showing the vault (Australian Antarctic Magazine 31: 23, 2016) site and station, and high voltage power swells, and iceberg calving. (square box) and rosettes which and Macquarie Island, and a CTBT seismic Main facility cables run back to the Davis power supply. detect the infrasound. (Geoscience facility at Mawson, all supported by the Data from Australian IMS facilities is available The Central Power Distribution (CPDF) building To minimise any future maintenance issues Australia) Antarctic Division’s Engineering Branch. to the broader research community. was initially constructed at Kingston during the power cables were hauled out in a the 2015 winter and then flat-packed for continuous 6000 m run. With no road access 3. Array vault H2 installed on site. 1. Figure 1. Location of the IS03 site (array shipment to Davis later that summer. Works some 2800 m had to be hauled by hand. (Mark Pekin) of green circles around the square) and began in earnest this summer with six pad- AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN the cable runs (blue lines) back to Davis. footings for the building installed. 4. Hauling one of the power cables 15 14 (Geoscience Australia & Australian up a steep section of the Vestfold Antarctic Division) Hills. (Ash Pym)

16 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 SCIENCE 1 team alsodeployed suction-cupvideotags term satellitetags onminkewhales. The (see page19),deployingadditional long- in2016 and early2017 continued thisresearch offtheWest Australian Antarctic Divisionscientists simultaneously assessingprey distribution. they divedbelowthewatertofeed,while the whales’movementsandactivitywhen scientific teamwasalsoabletoobserve and thepitchroll of theirbodies. The dive depth,flukestrokes, acceleration, three-dimensional movements, suchas tags provided information onthewhales’ on minke,humpbackandkillerwhales. The short-term, highresolution movementtags On thesamevoyage,scientistsalsodeployed Antarctic Magazine24:4-5,2013). go fortheirwinterbreeding (Australian leave thefeedinggrounds, andwhere they search ofprey, where theygowhen move around theirfeedinggrounds in provided insightsintohowthewhales and migratory behaviour. Thesatellitetags their broad-scale foraging movements whales inAntarctica, were usedtodescribe deployed onminke,blueandhumpback In 2012-13, long-termsatellitetags sophisticated sensors. satellite tagsthatcontainasuiteof manufacturers todevelop,testandrefine IWC-SORP scientistshaveworkedwith instrumentation Tracking and movement tracking, detecting,andageingmarinemammals.Followingare someofthehighlights. (IWC-SORP)* hasdrivenarange ofinnovativenewwhaleresearch, resulting insignificant advancesin Over thepasteightyears theInternationalWhalingCommission’s SouthernOceanResearch Partnership Partnership advanceswhaleresearch species, forconservationpurposes. types are importanttothevariouswhale determine whichareas andprey The workwillultimatelyhelpscientists of whaleabundanceandforaging ecology. models thatare usedtoderiveestimates contributing tosophisticatedstatistical development andtelemetryworkis Altogether, informationfrom thistag whales wentandwhattheywere eating. a remarkable ‘whale’s eyeview’ofwhere the on thebacksofhumpbackwhales, providing visually –usuallywithina10 km range. on gettingcloseenoughtosightwhales previous detectionmethodsthatrelied distances andisahugeimprovement on blue whalestobetracked overvast away. Thetechnology allowsAntarctic vocalising bluewhalesupto1000 km (underwater listeningdevices)todetect developed thatuse‘directional sonobuoys’ methods andsoftware have been Now, novelpassive acoustictracking assess theirrecovery, difficult. making findingandcountingthewhales, to Ocean. Today there are lessthan4000, over 200000bluewhalesintheSouthern Before theadvent ofwhalingthere were detection andtracking Passive acoustic allowing themtofeedquicklyandefficiently.” that denseswarmsofkrillsuitthewhales, aggregations could bedrivenbyforaging and when wesawwhales. We thinkthatbluewhale “On our2015 voyage,wealwaysfoundkrill Brian Miller, said. Australian Antarctic Divisionacoustician,Dr sounds associatedwithfeedingorbreeding,” and gyro compass, wemaybeabletoidentify shipboard videocamera, coupledtoaGPS sonobuoys, withmovementsrecorded bya “By matchingthesoundsrecorded bythe Magazine 28:4-5,2015). endangered animals(Australian Antarctic first ecologicalstudiesofthese rare and rate, scientistswere abletoconductthe As aresult ofthisincreased encounter Australia Antarctic Ecosystemsvoyage. 16-17, 2013) andthe2015 NewZealand- voyages (Australian Antarctic Magazine24: the 2010 and2013 Antarctic BlueWhale aggregations ofupto80individuals, during of Antarctic bluewhales, includinglarge The sonobuoyswere usedtolocatehundreds 1. (Andrea Polanowski) involved intheageing process. in theDNAmethylation ofgenes humpback whales, based on changes apply non-lethalageingmethodsto IWC-SORP scientistswere thefirst to

2 partners jointhenetwork. resources are madeavailable andadditional network willcontinuetoexpandas additional United Kingdom.Theunderwaterlistening South Africa,Chile,andtheUnited Statesand of scientistsfrom France, Germany, Australia, The SOHNisaninternationalcollaboration and finwhales. ocean noiseforthesoundsgenerated byblue sea flooraround Antarctica, passivelymonitors underwater listeningstations, moored onthe Network (SOHN).Thisnetworkof20 effort calledtheSouthernOceanHydrophone an excitingnewlong-termdatacollection SORP AcousticTrends Project’ commenced In 2013, scientistsinvolvedinthe‘IWC- Underwater listening stations recovering whalepopulations,” DrDoublesaid. and piecetogethermovementpatternsfor different populationsofthesamespecies, abundance, delineatestockstructure between databases canhelpusestimatepopulation “Ultimately, photo-IDcataloguesand whales. cross-identification andmatchingofindividual community tomaximisethepotentialfor sharing themwiththeinternationalscientific archiving valuableimagesandmetadata, catalogues anddatabasesare essentialfor Head oftheAMMC,DrMikeDouble,said Southern Oceancanbeadded. of cetaceansinAustralian waters andthe Mammal DataPortal, towhichallsightings Division alsohoststheonlineNationalMarine southern rightwhales. TheAustralian Antarctic Whale Photo-IdentificationCataloguefor (AMMC) hasdevelopedtheAustralasian Right Division’s Australian MarineMammalCentre humpback whales, andtheAustralian Antarctic images tophoto-identificationcataloguesfor IWC-SORP voyageshavealsocontributed of thespecies. is usedtoassessthetotalnumberandrecovery The databaseoriginatedintheearly1990sand circumpolar Antarctic BlueWhalecatalogue. of individualAntarctic bluewhalestothe contributed overaquarterofallphotographs In justafewyears, IWC-SORPvoyageshave Photographic database 1 whales, butdolphinsandsealsaswell. allowing themtodetectnotonlyAntarctic sensitive toabroader spectrumoffrequencies, the recording devicesandnewloggers are The project partners are continuingtoimprove 2 WENDY PYPER whales donotneedtobekilledstudied. IWC-SORP scientistshavedemonstrated that and technologiesdevelopedadvancedby conserve andmanagewhales. The methods the InternationalWhalingCommission,tohelp valuable datatointernationalbodies, such as The research partnership hascontributed Why doesitmatter? other environments. of previously intractable speciesinmarineand the potentialtorevolutionise themonitoring commercial fishstocksassessmentsandhas The methodhassincebeenappliedinmany adult survivalandevenpopulationtrend. provide anassessmentofpopulationsize, identification ofclose relatives andcan mark-recapture’. Themethodusesgenetic a novelsurveyapproach called‘kin-based This inturnhasdriventhedevelopmentof Antarctic bluewhales. a newcircumpolar abundanceestimatefor and efficientsurveymethodsthatwillprovide effort indeterminingthemostappropriate IWC-SORP scientistshaveinvestedsignificant analyses Survey design andstatistical where amethylgroup (CH DNA methylationisabiochemicalprocess Antarctic Magazine26:16-17,2014). involved intheageingprocess (Australian on changesinthe‘DNAmethylation’ofgenes non-lethal ageingmethodstowhales, based IWC-SORP scientistswere thefirst toapply Non-lethal geneticageing characteristics ofwhaleschangewithage. helps scientistsunderstand howthebiological estimating thesizeofwhalepopulationsand offspring), agedataimproves methodsfor individuals inapopulation(parents, siblings, genetic informationabouttherelatedness of commercial whaling.Whencombinedwith the recovery ofwhalepopulationsfollowing Estimating ageisimportantformonitoring ageing process. recently beenshowntobeinvolvedinthe development ofmanycancers, butithasonly processes likesexdeterminationandthe of genes. DNAmethylationisinvolvedin DNA building-blocks, alteringtheexpression   Australian Antarctic Division Australian Antarctic Division Australian MarineMammalCentre, Corporate Communications, 1 and ELANORBELL 3 ) isaddedtospecific

2 Animal Welfare. WWF-Australia andtheInternationalFundfor partnering nations, OneOceanExpeditions, has beensupportedbythegovernmentsofits The workofIWC-SORPdescribedinthisarticle Australian Antarctic Division. Australian MarineMammalCentre atthe The partnership iscoordinated through the minke, sei,southernrightandspermwhales. including thehumpback,blue,fin,Antarctic the large whalespeciesmanagedbytheIWC, face. Themainfocusofthepartnership is of whalepopulationsandthethreats they health, dynamicsandenvironmental linkages results through research intothestatus, United States–aimtomaximiseconservation New Zealand,Norway, SouthAfricaandthe Belgium, Brazil, Chile,France, Germany, Italy, The partners –includingAustralia, Argentina, International WhalingCommission(IWC). delivery ofnon-lethalwhaleresearch tothe enhance cetaceanconservationandthe (SORP) wasestablishedinMarch 2009to The SouthernOceanResearch Partnership IWC-SORP? What isthe

3 3. 2. ( Peninsula inearly2017. video taggingoffthe Antarctic broader program ofsatellite and on aminkewhaleaspartof deploy aLIMPETsatellitetag Dr MikeDoubleprepares to (Brian Miller) Expedition (page18). the Antarctic Circumnavigation Miller, monitors callsduring Division acoustician,DrElanor away. Here, Australian Antarctic blue whales,upto1000 km sonobuoys’ todetectvocalising developed thatuse‘directional methods andsoftware havebeen Novel passiveacoustictracking © Dave Brosha)

17 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 SCIENCE 1

1 Mapping ‘Whale cams’ reveal Antarctic secret life of ocean giants Electronic tags with ‘whale cams’ deployed on humpback whales in Antarctica blue whale have revealed the secret feeding habits of the ocean giants. hotspots Scientists have identified Antarctic blue whale hotspots north of the and in the region, during one of the longest survey tracks for the endangered animals.

2

Australian Antarctic Division acousticians, “As we moved into the Amundsen and Dr Brian Miller and Dr Elanor Miller, used Bellinghausen seas, the density of calls ‘directional sonobuoys’ (underwater listening from blue whales really thinned out.” devices) to detect more than 15 000 blue The pair also mapped the distribution whale calls between Hobart and Punta Arenas, of calls from endangered fin whales and during the second southernmost leg of the found it correlated with that of the blue Antarctic Circumnavigation Expedition* (ACE) whales. voyage in February. “It may be that both whale species inhabit “We’d previously detected blue whales on the same areas because that’s where the krill other research voyages in 2013 and 2015, The small camera tags were placed on the During the voyage the researchers also is, but we’ll need to investigate this further when we entered the western edge of the Ross backs of humpback whales by Australian deployed longer-term ‘LIMPET tags’ on 2 on future voyages,” Dr Brian Miller said. *The project Acoustic mapping of endangered Sea hotspot, but it turns out that was just the and United States scientists working off the Antarctic minke whales. Southern Ocean whales was made possible tip of the iceberg,” Dr Brian Miller said. Antarctic Peninsula, in the Gerlache Strait. Two collaborating acousticians, Russell Leaper via funding from the Swiss Polar Institute Whale research scientist, Dr Elanor Bell, said and Susannah Calderan, continued the “As we traversed north of the Ross Sea towards and Australian Antarctic Division, with Australian Antarctic Division whale there is very little information on minke acoustic survey on the third leg of the ACE Punta Arenas, we continued to hear loud, in-kind contributions from Australian and researcher, Dr Mike Double, said the cameras feeding behaviour. voyage, from Punta Arenas to Cape Town. intense calls and we passed more than a dozen international collaborators. reveal where and how the mammals are Altogether, the two teams surveyed whales “Minkes are faster and more elusive than groups within 300 km of our voyage track.” foraging over the summer months. on two-thirds of a circumpolar transit. humpback whales and often forage in areas The pair conducted ‘listening stations’ every “The tags show the feeding methods used with lots of . This makes it challenging “We can use this data to compare the 30 miles, recording and monitoring whale by the humpbacks in the region, including to find and approach them to deploy tracking locations of the blue and fin whales on this song in 12 hour shifts. By conducting stations 1. Dr Elanor Miller and Dr Brian Miller footage showing them lunge feeding into equipment,” Dr Bell said. voyage with historic whaling data, to see throughout the voyage they were able to spent 33 days aboard the Akademic tight swarms of krill,” Dr Double said. whether the mammals are inhabiting the “So it was really exciting to be able to attach triangulate the direction and distance of loud, Treshnikov mapping the distribution of

SCIENCE The camera tags were attached by suction some LIMPET tags on this voyage. These will SCIENCE same areas,” Dr Miller said. Antarctic blue whales and fin whales low-frequency calls from blue and fin whales. cups to the back of the whales for about transmit the location and dive depth data to “We can also use remotely sensed data from through their calls, and recording and “We recorded 259 hours of underwater sounds 24 hours, before they detached for retrieval satellites every time they surface for up to two satellites, such as sea ice distribution, sea monitoring a range of other marine and detected blue whales on 140 of the 159 by the scientists. months.” surface temperatures and phytoplankton mammal calls. (Elanor Miller) listening stations,” Dr Elanor Miller said. “There’s a camera on the front of the tag The study is part of a long-term ecological abundance, to see if there are any relationships 2. The map showing the location of

32 2017 and three dimensional motion sensors, research to better understand the divergent 32 2017 “We also recorded calls from other marine between the whales’ locations and listening stations conducted during which record the movement of the whale impacts of climate change on the ice- mammal species including fin, sperm, killer, environmental conditions.” two legs (Hobart to Punta Arenas

ISSUE humpback and minke whales, as well as as well as the time and depth of each dive,” dependent minke whales and more open-water ISSUE The research is part of the Australian and Punta Arenas to Cape Town) leopard and crabeater seals.” Dr Double said. humpback whales in this part of the Antarctic. Government’s ongoing commitment to the of the Antarctic Circumnavigation As the pair were part of a broader expedition International Whaling Commission’s Southern Expedition. The red crosses show where Lead collaborator on the study, Dr Ari The research is being conducted through the onboard the RV Akademic Treshnikov, Ocean Research Partnership. The partnership full song was recorded and indicate Friedlaender from Oregon State University, said International Whaling Commission’s Southern supported by the Swiss Polar Institute, they aims to develop, test and implement non- that individual Antarctic blue whales the suite of data collected allows scientists to Ocean Research Partnership (see story on page were unable to track and sight the blue whales, lethal scientific methods to estimate the were in close proximity to the listening reconstruct the underwater feeding behaviour 16), supported by One Ocean Expeditions and 1. A humpback whale with a camera as they had on previous voyages (Australian abundance and distribution of whales and station. The green area indicates that of the whales in great detail. WWF-Australia. tag. The tags were attached via a calls from aggregations of blue whales suction cup and fell off after Antarctic Magazine 28: 4-5, 2015). describe their role in the Antarctic ecosystem “These non-lethal research methods allow us were detected and located within 24 hours. (Elanor Bell) (see previous story, page 16) . NISHA HARRIS “We were purely listening for Antarctic blue 300 km of the listening station. to determine how krill abundance affects the 2. A minke whale with a LIMPET tag whales to better map their distribution around The Mertz Glacier region is due south feeding success of whales and how any change Corporate Communications Antarctica, and we’ve been able to identify WENDY PYPER in krill population, due to climate change, which will transmit location and AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN of Tasmania and the Ross Sea hotspot commercial fishing, or ocean acidification, dive depth data to satellites, each hotspots in the northern Ross Sea and Mertz Corporate Communications is identifiable by the large area of red 19 18 time the whale surfaces, for up to Glacier region,” Dr Brian Miller said. crosses. (Brian & Elanor Miller) may impact the mammals into the future,” Dr Friedlander said. two months. (©Dave Brosha) 20 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 SCIENCE albatross browed black- habits of the feeding Logging population,” DrAlderman said. GPS tracking hasbeendoneonthis “This isthefirst timesuchhigh resolution climate change,onlandandatsea. said thebirds are threatened by fishingand Conservation branch, DrRachaelAlderman, Water andtheEnvironment, Marine Department ofPrimaryIndustries, Parks, Chief Investigator*from theTasmanian to record theprogress ofthebreeding season. island andbiologistsregularly visit thecolony albatross breed onthesteepslopesof Approximately 40 pairs ofblackbrowed around Macquarie Island,”MsKliskasaid importance ofthemarineprotected area the eggincubationperiod,highlighting 200 kilometres ofMacquarie Island,during “We foundthebirds forage locally, within to maptheforaging locationsofthebirds. once theywere retrieved, enablingtheteam The datawasdownloadedfrom thedevices for betweenfiveand30foraging trips. birds. Thedataloggers remained onthebirds loggers tothefeathers onthebacksoffive Pascoe, successfullytapedminiature GPSdata Field biologistsKimberleyKliskaandPenny the birds. about theforaging habitsof this season,tofindoutmore albatross onMacquarieIsland five threatened black-browed miniature GPSloggers on Scientists successfullydeployed

1 *Australian Antarctic ScienceProject 4112 Australian Antarctic Division CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS foraging closetoshore tofeedtheirchicks. summer, toavoidalbatross whentheyare sub-Antarctic fisheriesare closedduring seabird by-catchinfisheries. Australian conservation measures suchasreducing Albatrosses andPetrels, toinform Agreement ontheConservationof albatross studiesisfedintotheinternational The datafrom thisandotherlong-term affected byclimatechange.” importantly, howthesepopulationsmaybe time, whattheenvironmental drivers are and, distribution andbehaviourisvaryingover coming seasonstounderstand howforaging “We willtryandcollectmore dataoverthe 2. 1. 203 kmfrom thecolony. (KimKliska) five foraging trips ranging between30and hatched). Thered track, forexample,shows egg incubationperiod(before chicks deployed atMacquarieIslandduring the black-browed albatross from GPStrackers The figure showstheforaging tripsoffour (Kim Kliska) they survivetosevenoreightyears old. will return tobreed onMacquarieIslandif remain ontheislanduntil April.Mostchicks of foodafterafewweeks,butthechicks year. Theirparents leavetheminsearch throughout lateDecember andJanuaryeach Black-browed albatross chickshatch accurate penguinestimates countson Conservation be as, ormore, abundantthanthebreeders. shown thatnon-breeding Adéliepenguinsmay “However, ourstudyinEastAntarctica has Dr Emmerson said. than nestingincoloniesonland,” because theyare outforaging atsea,rather “Non-breeding birds are harder tocount include non-breeding birds. into accountbreeding pairs anddidnot until now, populationestimates onlytook ecologist, DrLouiseEmmerson, said up Australian Antarctic Divisionseabird estimate of14–16millionbirds. extrapolating that outtoalikelyglobal estimating 5.9millionbirds and stretch ofcoastlineinEastAntarctica, The researchers focusedona5000km images, overseveral breeding seasons. and resighting data,andautomatedcamera used aerialandground surveys, tagging Australian, French andJapanesescientists, Ecology andConservationbyateamof The newresearch*, publishedinGlobal than previously estimated. six million,3.6millionmore Antarctica, numberingalmost Adélie penguinsliveinEast estimate yetofhowmany Scientists havetheirbest

1 protection intothefuture,” DrSouthwellsaid. identify whichareas mayneedenhanced populations nearstationswecanbetter “By identifyingsignificantpenguinbreeding the breeding age population. Adélie penguins, encompassing about10% of in thestudyregion, eight containbreeding “Of the16Antarctic Specially Protected Areas within 20kmofastation,”DrSouthwellsaid. breed within10 kmofastation,and44% one millionbirds, or29%ofthepopulation, areas ofEastAntarctica andwefoundover occupied research stationsintheice-free “There are currently ninepermanently access forresupply. and research stations, duetotheireasy by bothAdéliepenguins, fornestingsites, along theEastAntarctic coastare favoured Dr ColinSouthwell,saidrocky, ice-free areas Lead authorofthestudy, seabird ecologist Ocean thanpreviously thought. activities onthecontinentandinSouthern more birds potentiallyinteracting withhuman terrestrial andmarineconservation,with The research hasimplicationsforboth population’s foraging needs.” ensures webetterunderstand theentire future breeders andestimatingtheirnumbers “These birds are animportantreservoir of Corporate Communications NISHA HARRISandWENDY PYPER penguin counts. When itcomestoconservation,every sustainable krillfisherycatchlimits. Antarctic MarineLivingResources toset Commission fortheConservationof This informationwillbeusedbythe in EastAntarctica,” DrEmmerson said. breeding seasonbyAdéliepenguinsbreeding 18 800tonnesoffishare eatenduringthe “An estimated193500tonnesofkrilland the Adéliepenguinpopulation. of prey (krillandfish)neededtosupport The research alsoestimatestheamount 4087 and4088. *Australian Antarctic ScienceProjects 2722,

2 2. 1. (Noel Tennant) research stationsinEastAntarctica. with ninepermanently occupied ice-free habitattheyneedfornesting, Adélie penguinsshare therocky, (Tony Fleming) penguin numbers inEastAntarctica. most accurate estimateyetofAdélie colonies (pictured), hasprovided the counts, alongwiththosenestingin Including non-breeding birds in

21 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 SCIENCE 1 2

The1 Bureau of Meteorology in Antarctica Weather preparedness is always a key consideration in Antarctica, whether you are flying a plane, fixing a roof, drilling ice cores or counting penguins.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has Because weather and climate do not skill of our seasonal sea-ice forecasts from Our forecasters are typically deployed to The clear and growing interest in the The unique arrangements of the Antarctic a long history of supporting the safe and recognise geopolitical boundaries, most ACCESS-S (‘S’ for sea ice) as well as evaluate where aviation operations are focussed, such Antarctic climate is recognised by the Bureau Treaty System place the region in a efficient undertaking of the Australian nations have agreed to collaborate in the the skill and optimise the polar physics of our as at Casey and Davis over summer and at and WMO. Interested national weather framework of international collaboration that Antarctic program. We’ve been present taking and sharing of weather observations shorter term ACCESS-G (global) forecasts in Macquarie Island during the station resupply. services are starting to consider how to reflects the borderless nature of atmospheric at each of Australia’s Antarctic and for the benefit of the global community. Antarctica. We have an annually recruited workforce of collaboratively build an Antarctic Regional and ocean processes, and the cooperative sub-Antarctic stations since they were These efforts are coordinated at the 11 over-wintering observing and technical Climate Centre, to provide authoritative, delivery of weather and ocean services. The established. Bureau meteorologists were global level by the World Meteorological staff, five summer weather forecasters (often standardised and validated products that Bureau is considering how connecting our also part of some of the earlier heroic Organisation (WMO), which today comprises including a Royal Australian Navy forecaster), will better meet the Antarctic operational, services with other international providers age expeditions, including Griffith Taylor, 185 member nations, and in which the The Australian Bureau of and another officer or two on project work research and policy community needs. could lift service levels for the wider who represented the ‘Weather Service’ Australian Bureau of Meteorology plays at any given time. Over the quieter winter operational community and reduce the cost Meteorology has a long To best capitalise on our investment, the (as an ex-Bureau officer) on Scott’s Terra a proactive role. The Bureau’s weather season, forecast support is provided on a of production. Bureau climate monitoring program is Nova Expedition (1910–1913), and Bureau observation and climate monitoring program history of supporting by-request basis from Hobart. In addition renewing its focus on its contribution to the In all we do, the Bureau works in close officer , who led Douglas follows strict WMO standards, to manually to marine and atmospheric weather, we big global initiatives, principally as defined partnership with the Australian Antarctic Mawson’s team on Macquarie Island in 1911. and automatically record and distribute the safe and efficient also warn for tsunami, abnormally high by WMO and partners, such as Global Division to ensure that our future programs information on wind, atmospheric pressure, tides, and space weather (which can have Safer and more efficient operations are not undertaking of the Australian Cryosphere Watch, Global Atmosphere are mutually supporting and aligned with the humidity, temperature, solar radiation and detrimental effects on satellite systems and the only reason the Bureau partners with the Watch, Baseline Surface Radiation Network, government’s wider strategy in Antarctica. space weather. Antarctic program communications). Australian Antarctic Division. The Bureau also space weather initiatives, and the Global Sea has the important Government mandate to As with most things Antarctic, we partner Level Observing System. Options to automate SCOTT CARPENTIER

SCIENCE monitor the Australian climate. The Bureau’s with other organisations. We benefit from The future certain processes are also being considered, SCIENCE continuous, quality managed and long- the Australian Antarctic Division’s remote In terms of direct service to the Antarctic which may allow us to minimise our staff Regional Manager Antarctic Meteorology, Increased computing power, more standing record of weather observations Automatic Weather Station network and Division, time has proven that meteorologists footprint on Antarctic stations. Bureau of Meteorology expansive and precise observational systems from the four stations, provides Australians VHF wind-profiler for the provision of perform best after they have experienced (particularly from space) and our ever- Currently, national Antarctic programs *Australian Antarctic Science Project 4292 and the global community with information our aviation forecast services and for the the local environment first-hand, and improving understanding of meteorological collect their own weather, sea ice and to research and monitor Antarctica’s weather initialisation of our global weather model, that they communicate most effectively

32 2017 and ocean science, suggest that the current climate information and there is considerable 32 2017 and climate, and help understand Antarctica’s the Australian Community Climate and Earth when embedded in the operation. This is gap between seasonal and sub-seasonal duplication of service effort in some areas. role within the larger Earth system. System Simulator (ACCESS). We also partner particularly salient in the Australian context,

ISSUE modelling will be bridged. We might also For example, near Australia’s Davis station, ISSUE with the CSIRO and the Australian Nuclear where many forecasters have focussed their expect that coupling of the ocean, ice and Russian, Chinese, Indian and Australian Science and Technology Organisation. training and experience on phenomena like atmosphere in numerical weather prediction national weather offices provide overlapping tropical cyclones, fire weather and flood We support various national and will be achieved with sufficient skill as to services for their respective national stations, forecasting, rather than the polar regions. international research campaigns. These become operational over the coming decade situated within 100 km of each other. Until they undertake their one month of include the current Macquarie Island Cloud (there’s a bold forecast!). Ensemble forecasts pre-departure polar meteorological training and Radiation Experiment* (Australian (a set of forecasts) provide decision makers in Hobart, most of our recruited Antarctic Antarctic Magazine 30: 13, 2016), the with a sophisticated means of assessing the forecasters would have not considered upcoming Antarctic Cloud and Radiation risk of weather impacts on their operations. the nuances of katabatic interactions with Experiment, and two wider-ranging Southern On this front the Bureau will improve its 2. Senior Antarctic Forecaster transient low pressure systems that can whip 1. These ‘Armageddon clouds’ Ocean cloud and radiation experiments that provision of training materials so users may Michelle Hollister received first- up 160 km/hr winds in minutes, or ocean-air- over O’Brien Bay near Casey will use instruments on land, ships, aircraft best interpret the information provided. hand experience of wind-blown

AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN ice interactions that can see a ship disappear MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN research station are formally and satellites. Other important research is drifting snow on a helicopter in its own localised fog patch. 23 22 known as arcus shelf clouds. being undertaken in Hobart to evaluate the trip into Mawson research (Glenn Johnstone) station. (Michelle Hollister) 24 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 POLAR MEDICINE brought here. made itimmediatelyclearwhy’dwe’dbeen medicine expert,openedwithastorythat Medicine, andawell-knownextreme- Australian CollegeofRural andRemote Dr Ayton,aprevious president ofthe Polar MedicineUnit. was DrJeffAyton,ChiefMedicalOfficerofthe Our hostattheAustralian Antarctic Division doesn’t likepenguinsandlotsofsnow? I figured wemightbeonabreak. Afterall,who connection butnoobviouslinkscametomind. Antarctica? Mybrain triedtomakethe “Australian Antarctic Division”,camethereply. “Where tonext,”Ienquired ofmychaperones. be headingoutoftownsouthHobart. the morningwe,somewhatoddly, appeared to Following aparticularlyrobust publicforumin pinned betweentwoseniorADHAminders. stuck inthebackseatofasmallishSUV, Digital HealthAgency(ADHA),Ifoundmyself managed toimbedmyselfwiththeAustralian On arecent fieldtripto Tasmania, where Ihad health general practiceanddigital Cold truthsaboutthefutureof treacherous ocean. by more than5000kmof pathology laborspecialist from thenearest hospital, for ayearattime,separated inhospitable continentonearth, to 100 peopleonthemost But imaginelookingafter up is pretty toughthesedays. Being aGeneral Practitioner (GP) 1. (Eliza Grey) another screen ontheright. being monitored inreal timevia away. Thepatient’s vitalsigns are an Antarctic stationsome4000km being undertakeninreal timeat by atrained laysurgical assistant, supervise aprocedure conducted to demonstrate andremotely Anaesthetist) usetelemedicine (Royal HobartHospitalSpecialist Dr JeffAytonandTrudi Disney

groups, are nothingshort ofamazing. operation betweennormallydisparate medical technology, cleverco-ordination, andco- actually feasible,usingthelatestininnovative The insightsthatthisunitprovides intowhatis in Antarctica. practice intheworld –becauseit’s perfectly connectedandservicedgeneral created bythenecessity tohavethemost It’s sortofanaccident thatitexists. It’s been practice ofmedicine. and, insomeways, thefuture ofthe“general” Australian “connected” healthcare system microcosm ofthefuture ofanational This unitturnsouttobeapotential software, communicationprotocols andsoon. support, medicalwikis, patient-management records, secure messaging,expert-decision the storage andanalysisofelectronic health in thisunit.Thismeanstelehealthsystems, planning, beenoptimisedtoextreme levels has, overmanyyears ofoperation and lives andmanagingcomplexcases, everything In order toimprove theirchancesofsaving strange andpotentiallyawkward. to alocalspecialistifsomethingisparticularly pathology labifthingsgethairy, oraneasycall don’t havetheluxuryofanearbyhospitalor communication linkstothemainland.They difficult workvia relatively tenuous They are GPswhodomuchoftheirmore generalised medicineintheworld. arguably themostextreme practitioners of Doctors whopractice inAntarctica are

1 important ancillaryservices. to pathologylabsandvariousother can talktotheMyHealthRecord, directly Antarctic stationsandthemainland.It seamless betweenthevariousAustralian with thedatacommunicationissues),it’s not actuallycloud-based(that’s toodifficult early as1989.It’s comprehensive. Although started collectingelectronic health records as health record systemin2009andthey The unitstartedafullynetworkedelectronic what they’vemanagedtocrack. And connectedtechnologyisabigpartof work medicallyatanincredibly efficientlevel. the systemstomakeourAntarctic stations years quietlyand diligentlyhoningandrefining unit. Aytonandhistechnicalcrew havespent But DrAytonhasthisallworkingtodayinhis and seniorvisionaryhealthbureaucrats. the likesofmedicalsoftware entrepreneurs only heard aboutinplansanddiscussionsfrom was akid. NearlyallofwhathedescribedI’d felt likeIwaswatching Towards 2000 when I As DrAytoncasuallyran usoverthebasics, it optimism fortheprofession. GP, thenthere iscauseforquiteabitof If anyofthisisinthefuture ofbeinga also highlyrewarding andwildlyefficient. Although it’s clearlychallengingwork,it’s when thingsgobellyup. engineered telehealthsupportfrom experts Well, bythemselves, butwithverywell- services, candoaheckoflotbythemselves. with therightprotocols andlinkstosupport connected todecentexpertsystemsand One GP(overwinter),wellresourced,

2 required fortheoperation. instruments thatwere plumber tomakethevarious getting thestation’s times viatelex,including communicate multiple the mainlandhadto The assistantson ultrasound, andmore. This includesblood chemistryanalysis, X-ray, tele-access toarange ofsophisticatedgear. at Hobart,where theAntarctic doctors have online totheDivision’s headquarters back surgery onthestationinAntarctica goes When somethingreally goeswrong, the would lovetohaveasapartoftheir services. something whichmostGPpractice owners the stationswhichishighlyefficient,and to achievesometelehealthsupportfor Notwithstanding, theunithasmanaged early 1990s. At356bps, it’s nearlythatslow. akin toanAOLinternetconnectioninthe the maximumbandwidthspeedissomething second opiniononascanorX-ray, orthelike, and forth,asyoudowhenhavingtogeta can occur. Andifyou’re sendingdataback still tricky. Delaysinaudioofseveral seconds Medicine doctors usesatellitelinks. Butthisis Today, thankfully, Antarctic DivisionPolar associated privacysettingsandpermissions. record viaawebconnectionwith all the a fullandwell-organised electronic medical Each stationstaffmemberhasfullaccessto healthcare onthestations. into thepreparation, servicinganddeliveryof to provide theunitwithvaluableinsights many years and,asaresult, thedataisstarting The records are precise andlongitudinalover HF radio, bothofwhichwere relayed via expeditions wasviamorse codeandlatervia medical contactwiththemainland forearlier of thefirst stationthere in1947. Initial Antarctic stations sincetheestablishment There hasbeena doctor onAustralia’s station in1998. working attheAmundsen-Scott SouthPole famously self-treated her breast cancerwhile a background inemergency medicine, Jerri LinNielsen,an Americandoctorwith Not to beoutdonebytheRussians, Dr full recovery. awoke tocompletetheprocedure andmakea operation helost consciousness, butlater of helping,operated onhimself.Duringthe station in1961, andwithno-onecapable acute appendicitisontheRussianAntarctic include thatofaRussiandoctorwho,facing Other alarmingAntarctic surgical stories resume dutiesatthestation. doctor, allowingthatdoctortorecover and complex surgical procedures ontheinjured support, anon-doctorwasabletoperform stations injured inafall,andwithtele-surgery Recently, withtheonlydoctorononeof were required fortheoperation. plumber tomakethevariousinstrumentsthat times viatelex,includinggettingthestation’s on themainlandhadtocommunicatemultiple saving thestationmember’s life,theassistants To prepare forthissurgery, which endedup staff suffered abrain aneurysm. in thewinterof1961, whenoneofthestation thought forthedoctoroncallatCaseystation If thatallsoundsabitscary, thenspare a work viaaudiofrom asurgeon inHobart. complex, theGPisbeingguidedtodotheir telehealth. Currently, whenthingsgetthis the mainlandcanperformoperation via surgery remotely, where atrained surgeon on The unitiscurrently lookingatusingrobotic

3 on 9February2017. medicalrepublic.com.au/cold-hard-truth-future/ appeared inTheMedicalRepublichttp://www. This isaneditedversion ofanarticlethatfirst The MedicalRepublic JEREMY KNIBBS stuff ifwereally wantto. system. Butatleastweknowcandothis small problem across theAustralian healthcare focus andco-operation. That,ofcourse, isno It’s amatteroforganisation, co-ordination that expensive. more interesting andlessisolated.Andit’s not enormous efficiency, itcanmakeaGP’s job actually possible.Itdoeswork,itcreate everything thattechnologypromises, is Antarctic Divisionconfirmsforusisthat What thePolar MedicineUnitoftheAustralian time communicationwasviatelexmachine. Australian Antarctic stationsin1963.Atthat was establishedinAustralia tosupportthe notoriously unreliable. Afullmedicalunit Macquarie Islandandbothofwhichwere 3. 2. (Frederique Olivier) Medicine Symposium IIIin2009. station totheInternational Space telemedical linkfrom Mawsonresearch by DrGlennBrowning, withalive critical capabilitybeingdemonstrated Antarctica. Thisisastillimageofthis of 3D/4Dultrasound imagesfrom and forward andreal-time transmission Medicine Unitisaworldleaderinstore The Australian Antarctic DivisionPolar station surgery. (AAD) on a‘patient’intheMacquarieIsland assistants conductamockoperation The doctorandlay-person surgical

25 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 POLAR MEDICINE

26 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 ANTARCTIC ART 1 exploration. the Heroic AgeofAntarctic of TheWar oftheWorlds and a meetingbetweenprotagonists research hislatestbookideaof Antarctica inFebruaryto author, SeanWilliams,visited Fellow andspeculativefiction Australian Antarctic Arts Martians: whatif...? Mawson andthe 2. 1. (Sean Williams) and inspired byTheThing. Williams continues tobehorrified Speculative fictionauthorSean The bookthatstarteditall. “city”. (SeanWilliams) category “building”or“ship” any straight-edged berg tothe Sean foundhequicklyascribed really needmore? already devotedtothesubject.Dowe 50 000words, thatamountstoonebillion 20 000books. Ifeachof them contains library holdssomething in theorder of Antarctica. TheAustralian Antarctic Division Quite alothasalready beenwritten about knew Iwouldhavetogothere. the character ofthisincredible place,I happened inreal life.In order tocapture and Mawsononanexpeditionthatnever Antarctica asitisabout Scott, Shackleton writing abookthatisjustasmuchabout Arts Fellowshipwiththeaspiration of I appliedfortheAustralian Antarctic influence onmydesire tobeanauthor. “the worst desertonEarth”,alsohadahuge quite apartfrom inspiringdreams ofvisiting in theguiseofsciencefictionhorror that, was TheThing,amasterpieceofparanoia adaptation andidentity, thebookinquestion Appropriately, givenallthislayeringof of DonA.Stuart. John W. Campbellwritingunderthename of a1938novellacalledWhoGoesThere? by Lancaster, whichwasinturnanadaptation fact thenovelisationofafilmscriptbyBill was abookbyAlanDeanFosterthatin Antarctica becauseofabook.Inmycase,it Like alotofpeople,Iwasinspired tovisit feel aboutbeingcaughtbetweentwo Mawson, citizenofnewnation“Australia”, More specifically, howwouldDouglas to thediscoveryofthisdesperate survivor? How mightabandofhardy explorers react landed alongwayoff-course, inAntarctica? happened, andaMartiancylindercrash- So, whatifTheWar oftheWorlds actually most clearly. if”, wecansometimesseeourownreflections viewing thepresent through thelensof“what discomfiting hybridsofOctaviaSButler. By techno-mysticism ofArthurCClarke,andthe think thedystopiasofPhilipKDick, able todobetterthananyothergenre: that speculativefictionpridesitselfonbeing Examining theseforces isoneof thethings such ascommercialism orterritorialism. reckless forces thatwoulddestroy itforever, to bepreserved–in words aswellfrom This vast,changeableenvironment deserves the great southernland. pinch compared tothevastamountcovering to littlemore thanabucketfulofsnow, atiny Antarctic Division’s vastlibrary wouldamount those billionwords wasasnowflake,Australian I wouldargue thatyes, wedo.Ifeveryone of

2

3 begin toappreciate whattruecoldfeltlike. photo takenattheAntarctic Circle sign,didI and steppedoutintoabriskwind to havemy Only later, whenIdoffedglovesandbeanie emergency gearandblastedbybrightsunlight. It turnedoutthatIwashot,dressed infull years wouldamaze orappalme. had dreamed ofexperiencing forthirty-five I hadnoideawhethertheenvironment I stepped offtheplaneatWilkinsaerodrome, even thenonlyforafewhours. WhenI I didn’tproperly seesnow until2015, and Born andlargely raised inSouthAustralia, I fullyexpectedtobechallengedbythecold. many more. scenarios, andintheprocess inspired Antarctica allowedmetoexplore certain can possiblystandontheirown.Goingto design, scaffold,andconstructbefore they conception butrequiring great effortto At thisearlystage,novelsare boldin no onehasattemptedbefore. something that,tothebestofmyknowledge, the Heroic AgeandAustralian Federation– core issuesofHGWell’s masterpiecewith Antarctica toMars, mybookcombinesthe Mawson’s diarieswhenhevividlycompares Soul Standing,afteramomentinDouglas I wenttoAntarctica toresearch. CalledLone This questionliesattheheartofnovel British? Whosesidewouldhetake? crumbling empires, theMartianand up aswelldown. with theaurora australis reminded metolook learned somethingnew. Achanceencounter and science.EachtimeIsteppedoutside, I Casey. Imarvelled atwildlife,geology, history, a previous station (Wilkes)andonfootaround My Antarctic adventure tookmetotheruinsof this Earth. kindness mightextendtosomethingnotof other pioneeringaccounts. Iwondered ifthis Garrard’s TheWorst JourneyintheWorld and of spiritIrecognised from ApsleyCherry- supply theanswers Idesired. Thisgenerosity my questionsandwentoutoftheirwayto research station,whomore thantolerated openness ofthepeoplewhoworkedatCasey I neverstoppedbeingamazedbythefriendly to anear-absenceofnight. used inawayIpreviously thoughtimpossible category “building”or“ship”“city”. Ibecame ascribed anystraight-edged berg tothe track ofdistanceandsize,equallyquickly everyday referents suchastrees, quicklylost I marvelledatthewaymymind,lacking the sametimecompletelydifferent. so muchlikemybelovedoutbackandyetat I alsolovedtheendless, whiteplainthatwas chose tobe. indeed, whencoldwassomethingIcould which Ilearnedthatlovedthecoldverymuch Thus beganacomplexprocess ofdiscovery, in

4 tag/antarctica/ Antarctica inhisbloghttp://seanwilliams.com/ Read more about SeanWilliamsexperiencesin SEAN WILLIAMS believe thatthere willneverbeenough. Many havetriedtofindthosewords. Isincerely fellow expeditioners say. “There are nowords,” Ioverheard oneofmy experience foryears tocome. I suspectI’llbewritingaboutthisincredible in myfirst rideonaHägglundstracked vehicle. Standing butanothernovelthatcametome returned inspired towritenotjustLoneSoul can experiencerighthere onEarth.Ihave is theclosestplacetoanalienworldthatwe dozens ofstoriesaboutaliens, becauseitreally It’s nowonderthatAntarctica hasinspired

5 5. 4. 3. fellow humans.”(SeanWilliams) from snow, cliffs,water, icebergs, my pours across thelandscape,reflecting the abandonedWilkesstation.“Light Sean enjoyedanovernightvisitto (Zoë Loh) his reasons forvisitingAntarctica. house tohistalkaboutbookand Antarctica andSeandrew afull There are alotofsci-fifansin jade ocean”. (SeanWilliams) fracturing andcrumbling intoblue every mile,whitemarblesplittingand watching aworldfallapartwith Antarctica ontheA3 Sean describeshisdeparture from 19 as“like

27 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 32 2017 ANTARCTIC ART 1

3. Today’s modern kitchen at Davis 3 caters for up to 100 people in Davis research station turns 60 summer. (Kerry Steinberner) 4. The kitchen of the newly built Davis station in 1957. (Bob Dingle)

5. The modern-day Davis research station looks more like a space colony. The award-winning designed buildings are spacious and comfortable and have plenty of privacy. There are also good satellite communication links with the outside world. (Noel Tennant)

4 5

2

Davis research station Davis research station: With less than 10 people on station during warm and have places to play and rest, such the early years, the kitchen was very similar as the climbing wall, library, cinema, gym, and marked the 60th anniversary then and now to that found in a home of that era. The crew games area. There are also private areas and of its establishment on also took turns to be the cook. Today, with up we have good communication links with home. to 100 people needing to be fed over summer, 13 January 2017. Engineer Mark Pekin and Our clothing has evolved over the years. We there are three professional chefs during now have clothes made of modern fibres Station Leader, Kirsten le Mar, summer and one for winter. that are warm, light and breathable. The A team of expeditioners, led by former reflect on how life at Davis job descriptions have also changed. Where Director of the Australian Antarctic The engine hut of the original Davis research research station has changed generalists were once sought, we now have Division, Dr Phillip Law, established station initially housed the two Lister 15 highly trained specialists in all fields. Davis station in the Vestfold Hills, East over the past 60 years. kVa generator plants, a small workshop and the bathroom. This was sufficient to supply Antarctica, in January 1957. All in all, modern day life in Antarctica is pretty The common theme, irrespective of era, are the all the power and heating needs for the 10 good. We have the best of both worlds – the four main functions of the station to sustain personnel on station. Today, Davis has a main The station consisted of seven buildings location with its beautiful icebergs, charismatic The station was named after famous Antarctic Davis is the second oldest of Australia’s life: water, food, power and heat. powerhouse with four 125 kW Caterpillar 3306 and was erected in just eight days, before a penguins, the adventure and experience of navigator and ship Master, Captain John King Antarctic stations. Mawson research station diesel powered generators and an emergency HISTORY hardy team of five expeditioners was left at In the early years, water was obtained in living and working in Antarctica, but in a much HISTORY Davis. Captain Davis was a central figure in the was established in February 1954 and powerhouse with two 125 kW generators. A the site for the winter ahead – led by Officer winter by using heat exhaust from the engines more comfortable and sustainable way. So early exploration of Antarctica, as Master of construction of the current Casey research main ring of power feeds all the buildings, as In Charge Bob Dingle (Australian Antarctic to melt ice, and in summer a solar still was while we admire those that have come before the Aurora and the Discovery during several station started in 1964. The sub-Antarctic well as some of the more remote scientific Magazine 31: 24, 2016). used to desalinate seawater. Fresh water was us, we don’t envy their conditions. Instead we expeditions led by Sir and Sir research station on Macquarie Island was facilities. . established in March 1948 and has been a major concern and the chief engineer of the are grateful for the comforts of home in this operating continuously since. Kista Dan rigged up a distilling plant with two Heating in the original station was primarily extraordinary location. 32 2017 32 2017 The research station has since become a hub electric elements. from electrical heaters. Since the early 1980s for international engagement and a significant Davis has been heated primarily by capturing ISSUE CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS The solar still was one of many different ISSUE base for a range of scientific studies. As Davis the heat from the powerhouse engines and methods adopted over the next 50 years to is very close to the Chinese, Indian and Russian Australian Antarctic Division piping it all round station, similar to a number supply adequate fresh water at Davis. Today a stations, Australia is developing collaborations of northern hemisphere cities. In the colder reverse osmosis water treatment plant is now on joint science and logistical projects with months, this heating is augmented by diesel- utilised at Davis to carry out the same basic these countries. fired boilers to ensure that sufficient heat is task. However it produces 75 000 litres per Today’s modern research station now available for the numerous buildings. 1. The original buildings at Davis day during January and stores 1.5 million litres supports up to 90 expeditioners in summer were small and functional, with to supply the station for the next 12 months. Back in the 1950s the buildings were small and 20 in winter, with research focussing on limited or no privacy. (Phillip Law) There is no ability to make water over the and functional, and although efficient, had environmental protection, climate processes winter period. little privacy. Today the award-winning 2. At 4pm on 13 January 1957, and change, conservation and management of design buildings are made of state-of-the-art expeditioners gathered at the Antarctica, and flora and fauna. materials and provide functionality as well as AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN flagpole to officially recognise the an excellent quality of life. The buildings are 29 28 establishment of Davis research station. (Phil Law Collection) Medical diagnosis in Minister The final voyage of SY Aurora extreme environments visits Casey Malaria is not a disease you’d expect Antarctic expeditioners to suffer In December (2016) the Minister for “Now a Coal Vessel” was the Northern Times newspaper article that recorded the Aurora’s arrival from. But it makes sense when many expeditioners holiday in the the Environment and Energy, the in the port of Newcastle: “…the Aurora arrived unexpectedly slipped through the Heads at Newcastle warmer climes of South-East Asia before departing for Antarctica. Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, visited Casey research station to open the Despite rigorous screening of expeditioners to ensure they are fit for at 11.39 pm on Tuesday 10 April 1917 and berthed at Stockton, near the Mitchell Street Wharf”. new East Wing accommodation, Antarctic duty, acute and chronic medical conditions can develop and to meet with expeditioners The article mentioned that the Aurora’s The Aurora was opened for inspection and The Aurora sailed again on 20 June 1917 and during their stay. Being able to diagnose and monitor conditions and learn more about their work in Master, Captain R. J. (Jack) Reeves, had many people visited the ship. Such was the within days was hit by a southerly storm and such as malaria, peptic ulcers, influenza, meningitis, gastrointestinal Antarctica. The Minister flew from experienced a fairly rough voyage from interest that the Newcastle Ferries Company disappeared with all hands. It was believed bleeding and pregnancy, is a critical part of the lone doctor’s role at Hobart to Wilkins Aerodrome and Wellington, New Zealand, and went on to say was running a special quarter-hour service that the removal of the icebreaker plates and Australia’s Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations. was helicoptered across to Casey that the Aurora, “…after many voyages to the from the Market Wharf for those wishing to the dead weight of the coal had compromised The Australian Antarctic Division Polar Medicine Unit has refined for a quick tour, before returning to Antarctic, had now entered the more prosaic visit during the weekend. At the time of her the structural integrity of the ship. The only methods to help station doctors diagnose a range of diseases and Australia – the first time such a trip role of an ordinary merchantman on charter departure from Newcastle on 18 April 1917, item found six months later was the Aurora’s conditions over the past 50 years. Being able to perform pathology has been completed in one day. and instead of carrying discoverers, will in the Northern Times newspaper reported lifebuoy with the faded letters “A.A.E.”, tests on site and generating timely results that help in making clinical the near future, at all events, carry coal”. In that £2113.1s.10d (in silver coin entry) had overwritten with the letters “I.T.A.E.”, signifying decisions (“point-of-care testing”) are important factors in providing Minister for the Environment and Energy, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, Wellington, Shackleton had sold the Aurora been collected for the Field Force Fund – a her proud association with the Mawson and quality medical care in Antarctica. This expertise now provides an opens the new East Wing at Casey research station. (Stuart Shaw) to an American Company W. R. Grace and considerable sum for the times. Shackleton expeditions. effective and efficient model for medical care in other remote and Co., with interests in Chile. Three days into the voyage the Aurora was The lifebuoy was recently presented to the extreme environments, including space. th Such was the inglorious end to this faithful discovered to be leaking badly and returned nation on the 100 anniversary of the ship’s Polar Medicine Unit Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Roland Watzl, and 41 year old polar ship, which had survived to on 23 April. Her 500 tons of coal loss by Mr John Hooke CBE, son of Mr Lionel Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jeff Ayton, recently described this model in Proof-of-concept deep- over 33 years of annual sea going voyages were off-loaded, and an inspection at Morts Hooke (later Sir), the wireless operator onboard A Practical Guide to Global Point-of-Care Testing, published by CSIRO to the Newfoundland sealing and the Davis dockyard revealed substantial leaks behind Aurora during part of Shackleton’s ITAE Publishing late last year. field air drop a success Strait/ whaling grounds, in the ice the iron plates of her original icebreaker bow. expedition. strewn north Atlantic. Then followed a further Extensive and lengthy repairs were undertaken The book covers management of point-of-care testing services and A Royal Australian Air Force C17-A Globemaster undertook On 20 June 2017, the ANARE Club held a eight years of sailing in the tempestuous and finally in early June she returned to their use in diagnosing different medical conditions and diseases, the first proof-of-concept deep-field airdrop of more than commemorative ceremony at the Newcastle Southern Ocean and Antarctic seas; firstly with Newcastle to reload with coal. and in different settings (such as hospital, paramedic services and 8000 litres of aviation fuel, at the Bunger Hills, in support of Cathedral, during which a memorial plaque Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic Expedition sports science). science in December 2016. was unveiled in memory of the Aurora and the (AAE 1911–1914) and finally with Sir Ernest 21 members of her crew – lost at sea. In their chapter, Point-of-care testing and extreme environments – The plane dropped 40 drums of fuel, each with their own Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party – the East the Australian Antarctic Division, Drs Ayton and Watzl consider how parachute, at the remote location, 455 km west of Casey, for Antarctica component of his abortive attempt to design a point-of-care test system, given issues such as the effect research investigating the contribution of the East Antarctic ice to be the first to cross the Antarctic continent DAVID DODD of a harsh environment on medical equipment and supplies, limited sheet to sea level rise. during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition Secretary, ANARE Club technical support and restricted supply – constraints that exist in both Forty drums of (ITAE 1914–1917). space and third world countries. They also provide a list of robust tests aviation fuel that reduce diagnostic uncertainty when used alongside a customised Little did the crew of Australians, New were successfully diagnostic handbook, and examples of how these tests have been used. Zealanders and UK merchant seamen realise deployed to the that her impending voyage to the Chilean “Our system provides capability on the ground at research stations, in Bunger Hills in port of Iquique, and then on to Europe, the field, on ships and on aircraft,” Dr Watzl said. support of science. with nitrates for the war effort, would write 2 (Justin Hallock) the final chapter of the “Heroic Age” of “Most importantly, a point-of-care result is never interpreted in Antarctic exploration and discovery, with her isolation, but always used in clinical context, preferably over time to subsequent loss with all hands off the coast allow analysis of trend. The tests aim to support the clinical impression, of New South Wales. but never to replace it.” See more at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/ book/7500/#sthash.2ZEDcGnd.dpuf HISTORY BRIEF IN

1

1. The original Aurora lifebuoy 32 2017 32 2017 was recently donated to the Australian National Maritime ISSUE ISSUE Museum by Mr John Hooke Traditionally fuel has been flown into the field using CBE. (Photo courtesy ANMM helicopters or ski-equipped aircraft. However it takes a Collection) suitable weather window and numerous flights over several days to move the same amount of fuel as delivered by the 2. The Aurora at Port Chalmers C17-A in a single mission. (), New Zealand, after returning from the “Supporting deep field science projects with fuel, equipment Ross Sea in and rations is often our biggest challenge, so proving this during Shackleton’s Imperial concept is a major capability step for science supported by Trans-Antarctic Expedition. the Australian Antarctic Program,” said Australian Antarctic The ship had been locked in Dr Roland Watzl (left) and Dr Jeff Ayton with a copy of A Practical Guide to Division Operations Manager Robb Clifton. sea ice for 312 days and this Global Point-of-Care Testing. Their chapter describes a model for point-of- AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ANTARCTIC AUSTRALIAN image shows the damaged care testing in the Antarctic environment, which can be applied to other 31 30 rudder replaced by a jury remote and extreme envrionments, including space. (Wendy Pyper) rudder. (AAD) 32 AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC MAGAZINE ISSUE 30 2016 IN BRIEF on non-lethalwhale research. (Glenn Jacobson) Fisheries Science,signing theMemorandum of Understanding Dr Kang JoonSeogoftheSouthKorean NationalInstitute of Australian Antarctic DivisionDirector Nick Gales(right)and antarctica/?utm_hp_ref=au-homepage work inAntarctica athttp://stories.huffingtonpost.com.au/ interviews andimageryread more aboutAustralia’s in TimeonscienceandlifeAntarctica. Watch video program. Theteamcompiledanonline feature Unfrozen summer aspartoftheAustralian Antarctic Division’s media Tom CompagnonivisitedCaseyresearch stationover Huffington Post journalistJoshButlerandcameraman Unfrozen inTime (Sam Groves) Division Director, DrNickGales,atWilkinsAerodrome. The Governor-General (right)withAustralian Antarctic General tovisitAustralian Antarctic Territory. His ExcellencyisthesecondAustralian Governor- the Australian Antarctic Program. Globemaster BoeingC17-A,whichwassupporting ice runwayontheRoyalAustralian AirForce the 7000 kmround tripfrom HobarttoAustralia’s The Governor-General andLadyCosgrove flew scientists atWilkinsAerodrome. in November2016, meetingexpeditioners and (Retd), visitedtheAustralian Antarctic Territory the Honourable SirPeter Cosgrove AKMC The Governor-General, HisExcellencyGeneral visits Antarctica Governor-General

the International Whaling Commission’s Scientificand Conservationcommittees. modelling, sighting surveydesignandmarinemammal tourism,whichwill be fedinto The newagreement willgatherdataoncetacean-fishery interactions, ecosystem mammals inKorean coastalwaters. improve estimatesofabundance,trends, movementsanddispersal patternsofmarine Leading research techniques, such assatellitetaggingandgeneticmarkrecapture, will improve methodstoreduce theaccidentalcapture ofcetaceansbythefishingindustry. National InstituteofFisheriesScience, aimstopromote non-lethalwhalestudies and The agreement, signed inHobartbytheAustralian Antarctic DivisionandKorea’s collaboration onnon-lethal whaleresearch inMarch. Australia andthe RepublicofKorea signedanewagreement topromote scientific non-lethal whaleresearch New agreementon some seedstofurthersecure its survival,”MsDicksonsaid. health oftheplantswhenIreturn nextyearandhopethattheteamcancollect “Thisisaveryexcitingandsignificantdiscovery. Ilookforward tocheckingonthe islands andinPatagonia, SouthAmerica. on thesouthernsideoflake.Thespeciesonlygrows onafewsub-Antarctic the north-westsideofSkuaLake.Thenewplantswere discovered inMarch (2017) island, botanistsrediscovered apopulationofabout 500plantsattheoriginalsiteon dramatic reduction inrabbit numbers aspartofthepesteradication program onthe The plantwasfirst sightedonMacquarieIslandin1982.In2013, followingthe association withmossbeds, makingiteasytooverlook,”MsDicksonsaid. “Galium antarcticum istiny, generally lessthan50mmlong,andgrows in within a15mradius, manyinflower. Conservation NewZealand,surveyedthearea andfound1000 healthyindividuals Ms Dicksonandfellowbotanist,DrAlexFergus from theDepartment of Monash University PhDstudentCathDickson. discovered bychanceatSkuaLake,nearthecentral west coastoftheIsland,by The tiny, herbaceousGaliumantarcticum (‘sub-Antarctic bedstraw’) wasrecently 1500 plants. sub-Antarctic MacquarieIsland,triplingthepreviously known populationtosome A newpopulationofacriticallyendangered plantspecieshasbeendiscovered on endangered plantpopulation triplescritically Chance discovery amongst mossesandgrasses onMacquarieIsland.(AlexFergus) The delicate‘terminal’whiteflowers andfleshyleavesofGaliumantarcticum, whichgrows

This photo was taken using an Olympus OMD E5 Mk II set at F2.8 with a 20 second exposure. It was Freeze Frame about 8.30 pm at the end of March, when the aurora was quite active. This was one of a series of Brian Jury is the 2017 wintering Mechanical Supervisor at Mawson research station, responsible photos I took over two hours in temperatures hovering around -22°C, and my fingers were pretty for the operation and maintenance of the power generation and plant. He has spent 35 years frozen by the end of the evening. Photographing auroras can be frustrating as you just get your working in the mining and construction industry in , as well as periods in camera set up and the aurora moves or disappears. It is addictive though and I hope to get many Indonesia and Indo-China. He previously wintered as a diesel mechanic at in 1986. more photos over the coming winter.

BRIAN JURY