Settling in to Life on Macca

...The Aurora Australis left Macquarie Island just over two weeks ago. So that left only 24 of us left on the island. The first few days after the AA's departure most had some R & R, after the busy and hectic time of re-supply.

Then it was time to familiarise ourselves with our various jobs and how to organise the running of the station and living in a small community, through briefings and inductions.

In the first week I explored the station and area around the station that is considered station limits.
Station limits is a region on the isthmus that we are free to wander around and its limit is essentially where we should be able to hear the station fire alarm. It extends roughly southward to the base of the rise to the plateau.

A couple of young elephant seals practicing their fighting

Re-supply continues, then farewell to BOB

....After missing a few days due to weather, the re-supply continued, and the time-line to complete round trip programs was coming to an end. The weather delayed the helicopters going down island to pick up all the persons out in the field.

Meanwhile back at station helicopter flying was done at opportunistic times.

Ship to shore cargo sling loads continued when the weather was right

The local wildlife seemed almost oblivious to the commotion -  Gentoo penguins not far from station

Arrival at Macquarie Island & first few days of re-supply

...After many months of training and preparation we have finally arrived at Macquarie Island.
We arrived at Macca on the evening of the 3rd of March. We arrived to late to disembark, so had to wait until the following morning.

Very early the next day I went up on the helideck where I spent a while taking in the beautiful panorama of Macquarie Island. The sun was out and it was looking like a great day to go ashore.

4th March - A beautiful morning - north end of Macca with part of the station on the Isthmus

Voyage to Macquarie island on the Aurora Australis

..... We have been through months of training and pre-departure preparation. We are as ready as we can be. Now its time to depart on the Aurora Australis on the voyage (V4) to Macquarie Island.

The day started early. We had to arrive at the gate at Macquarie 4 wharf at 11:25 with our personal baggage - a strict 30kg weight limit. Also many of us had our (red) survival bag and our (green) bag of of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). After saying goodbye to family and friends at the gate, at 11:30 a bus arrived to transport Us and our gear 300m from the gate to the AAD Mac4 warehouse. At the wharf was our transport south.

The Aurora Australis just before departing on V4