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

Before going ashore we had to clean our cabin and then bring all our baggage to the D-deck cinema. At 8:30 Narelle, the current Station Leader came aboard and gave us a brief talk in the E-deck Mess.

The incoming winter crew (myself included) were in the first group to go ashore. Dressed in our survival gear, and carrying only one bag (spare clothes and essential items) we were ushered (4 at a time) into the E-deck conference room where we put on a PFD (personal flotation device - life jacket).

We then went into a small room that had an opening to the outside. I held my breath as one of the helpers lowered my bag on a rope out the opening to an awaiting IRB, which was bobbing up and down alongside the ship in the 2 metre swell. It landed in the boat. Then it was my turn to step down the rope ladder and time the swell so I could step into the IRB. Success - both my bag and I remained dry, mainly because of the skills of the IRB crew.

Departing the AA - a tricky exercise with the 2 metre swell

We made our way over smooth rolling seas to the shore about a kilometre away. About 100 metres from shore our coxswain (boat driver) stopped to asses the waves. The idea was to 'ride' the back of a smaller wave. On the shore there were 4 people in the shallow water ready to catch and hold the IRB for our safe disembarkation.

Me on the IRB, just waiting offshore for the right wave.

Standing on Landing Beach - Macquarie Island

Looking north from Landing Beach

4 catchers in the water ready to catch and steady the IRB

We then made our way to the station, marvelling at the grandeur and beauty along with all the sights, sounds and smells of this amazing island.

The incoming winter crew were then given a extensive tour and induction to all the buildings on station. This was followed by an induction to the fire team by the outgoing Fire/SAR Chief. 

We were then given a little time to settle into our rooms - I was allocated room 17 in Southern Aurora Dongas (SAD) which will be my temporary accommodation until the AA leaves.

Just behind Landing Beach - elephant seals wallowing amongst the tussock  with  digestors (from bygone sealing days)

The Aurora Australis in Buckles Bay - from Garden Cove near station

West Beach - helicopters and ANARESAT radome on the left

The next few days the re-supply got into full swing. During this time there were around 60 persons on station and in the field. This included a Japanese film crew of 4 who were flown (along with a guide) to one of the huts down island. They are filming for a documentary.

There were also a number of scientists who had short programs to complete during re-supply. There was also a number of specialised people involved with the smooth operation of the station re-supply.

Helicopter taking sling-loads to the AA and sometimes down island

LARC (Lighter, Amphibious, Resupply, Cargo vehicle) - essential transport for Macca re-supply

During the re-supply everyone pitches in where they can. Also during this time the incoming winter crew receive a handover from the outgoing crew.

There is so much wildlife around the station. The station proper is surrounded by a fence so that the elephant seals are kept out of the buildings. 

An important part of the Meteorological Program is the twice daily release of a weather balloon - with a  radiosonde/GPS transmitter attached.

On some days the re-supply came to a stand still due to the weather  (particularly the wind and fog)

Young elephant seal sleeping just in front of the Met building

A elephant seal wallow just to the west of the Weather station

They are very large animals and quite amazing, though they smell pretty bad

Most of the elephant seals around at the moment are males that come ashore for their annual moult

When the winds were forecast to be 35 knots or more, the helicopters landed in 'Market Square' to get out of the wind and being sand blasted.

The helicopters parked in Market Square

Cumpston's Cottage - This is the accommodation for the Station Leader, the Doctor and the Chef

More of Re-supply

One late afternoon Andrew (outgoing senior Met Observer) took me on a short tour. We visited the 'Ham Hut' on top of Camp Hill just behind station. This was built for Ham radio operators, but is now used for recreation. We also went up the 'Wireless Hill' track as far as the 'golf tee' (Station Limits).

Watching the re-supply from Ham Hut on top of Camp Hill

Garden Bay from the Ham Hut

View of the station from 

Same view as previous picture - with a wide angle lens

The first few days have been amazing. So much beauty and grandeur in the scenery - no matter what time of day or weather. The wildlife is also diverse, superb and abundant.

Looking south from the beach near the Doctors track (Station Limits)

So many elephant seals on or near the track

My room in Southern Aurora Dongas (SAD) - room dimensions  - length  of the bed and  twice the width

The evenings and nights are just as spectacular. Macquarie Island is in a favourable spot to view the Aurora Australis (Southern Lights). So far we have seen a few weak auroras (when the cloud momentarily clears).

Evening view of the station from Ham Hut

Next - Re-supply continues, then settling in........