Macquarie Island Adventure: Boating Induction Part I

When we were still in Hobart we took part in a 4 day Boating Training which took place out at the AAD's boating facility at Kettering. This was covered in a previous post on this blog Antarctic Training Part 4 - Boating

It was time to put all that we learnt into place on Macquarie Island. This took place over 2 days.

View to the southwest from West Beach near the station

The first day, everyone that was available, arrived at the boat shed to re-learn about maintenance and care of the IRB's (Inflatable rubber boats). These are all things we covered in our training sessions at Kettering. This was straight forward as the boats we used in Tasmania were transported here.

We then were split into 3 groups (for each boat) and proceeded through a check list - checking every aspect of the boat before launch.

This includes physically checking the integrity of the each inflatable section of the IRB, all ropes and fittings are secure.

Marty (FTO and boating leader) taking a group through part of the check list

Other groups going through parts of the check list

Each IRB carries a large waterproof case (box) that contains all the necessary safety equipment needed for a trip on the water. This includes anchor and chain, sea anchor, boat divvy bag, flares, EPIRB etc.

Marty showing a group the operation of an EPIRB

After checking the boats and equipment the boats were taken out of the shed and the outboard motors were run and checked. Also if any of the boat tubes were a little flat they were pumped up to the required pressures.

Marty also took us through how to set up a boat bivvy, essentially a protective cover over the boat if by chance we happen to have lost engine power and are adrift.

Taking one of the IRBs out of the boat shed

Checking the operation of the outboard motors and setting up the boat bivvy

The boat bivvy, protection against the elements

Once the boats had been checked and the crew dressed in dry suits, PDFs and warm waterproof gloves, the boats, on their trailers were transported to Landing Beach.

I was working and required to be on station to cover the Fire and Emergency response team, along with several other expeditioners. I did, however take some photos of the boats and crew that were out on the water.

While preparations of the boats was under way, there was still a fog and mist around which provided a great photo opportunity. The sun came out every now and then and resulted in a optical phenomena called a fog bow. This is a similar to a rain bow, but because of the water droplet sizes in fog it doesn't show the bright colours. When the fog droplets are very small it appears white.

Fog bow 1

Fog bow 2

Fog bow 3

The fog cleared enough to launch the 3 boats. The 3 coxswains took each of the boats southward, performing manoeuvres to hone their skills while the crews assisted. They practiced coming in and out of the surf zone and also driving close to shore in and out of the kelp beds.

On the way to Landing Beach - a pair of gentoo penguins 'practice' nesting

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One of the IRBs manoeuvring in the surf zone and kelp beds

The two boats coming back from a sojourn past the Nuggets

The wind started to increase so it was decided to bring the boats back into shore.

The boats just beyond the surf zone waiting to come in

Waiting at Landing Beach for the boats to come in

The boats just offshore from Landing Beach

Landing the boats is quite a straight forward. The coxswain (driver) just waits beyond the surf and comes in on the back of the smaller wave, straight onto the trailer (attached to the tractor).

Lionel backing the boat trailer into the water

The coxswain drives the boat onto the semi-submurged trailer

The boat on the trailer are then towed out of the water

The next day the boating conditions were even better with light winds and little swell. It was now my turn to complete the boating induction. We went through the same routine as yesterday in preparing and checking the boats and gear.

Chris (Ranger) dressed and ready to go

Launching one of the boats at Landing Beach

This time the boat trip had duel purpose. As well as providing boating induction for some of us, we would also be dropping Dave (Carpenter and building supervisor), Josh (plumber) and Chris (TASPWS ranger) and some gear off at Brothers Point. Dave and Josh had work to do on some of the northern huts, while Chris would carry out some track maintenance near Brothers Point hut.

Boat 5350 heading south over calm seas

Passing by some beautiful, stunning rugged coastline near Tractor Rock

Passing by the amazing rock stacks called the Nuggets

Moving southward past the cliffs just south of Nuggets Point

Enjoying the ride

Passing an area just north of Sandy Bay - Note the darker scar of a recent land slip

All to soon we arrived at Brothers Point. In my previous post (Field Training) we had walked from Brothers Point back to station, which took us most of a day. We covered the same distance in the boats in around 30 minutes.