Bren on 8 March 2020 With pre-departure week complete and a long weekend here in Tassie before voyage departure, I made a quick trip up to Mt Field National Park, a little over an hour west of Hobart. The views are spectacular!
Bren on 6 March 2020 This week I’m back in Hobart to prepare the ship for Voyage 4 (V4) Macquarie Island resupply. When at sea the ship has multiple redundant satellite communications links, so it’s important to verify everything is “ship shape” (excuse the puns) before departure.
We’re on track to depart next Tuesday 17:00 from Macquarie Wharf number 2.
Bren on 14 February 2019 Yesterday we had a very special guest arrive. Dr Karl from Triple J is visiting to broadcast his weekly radio segments and interview scientists at Casey station, Antarctica.
You can catch up on the Science with Dr Karl episode on the ABC website.
Bren on 27 January 2019
Bren on 28 December 2018 Resupply has been completed successfully and safely, the ship has now departed, and now it’s time to celebrate! Merry Casey Christmas everyone!
A big thank you to the chefs on station who prepared an amazing Christmas lunch for the one hundred or so expeditioners currently on station
Bren on 27 December 2018 The most hectic time at an Antarctic station is annual resupply; that one time of the year the ship arrives to change over personnel, bring down all the necessary parts, food, and fuel for an entire year, and return no longer needed equipment and rubbish back to the mainland.
This resupply my main role is to support the technical requirements of all the science projects arriving, and ensure they can connect, upload data, and keep in touch with their respective research institutions back home.
I am also on refuelling operations. The ship pumps thousands of letres of Special Antarctic Blend (SAB) diesel fuel ashore which the station will use to keep the lights on and the heat up for another year.
Due to the logistics and scheduling of Voyage 2 (V2) to Casey, it does mean each year the ship is probably in port during Christmas. We move the public holiday and festivities and observe Casey Christmas on the 28th this season.
Bren on 15 December 2018 Now that the ship is in port, probably the most important cargo is unloaded first and brought up to station – the mail! In the mailbags are postcards, online shopping, and much-awaited Christmas presents from back home.
Bren on 10 December 2018 On the weekend the weather was quite nice so we took the green hagg and a few quads out for a Sunday drive. Jacks hut is a nice spot overlooking the water, and before returning to station we popped into Wilkes, the abandoned US/Aus base on the other side of the bay.
Bren on 2 December 2018 With such good weather on a day off, it’s always great to pop over to Shirley Island and check out the Adelie penguins.
Bren on 29 November 2018 On Wednesday we were very lucky to have 19 emperor penguins come and investigate our walking group, right near station. With cameras at the ready we were able to capture some great shots to share with the Div media team.
You can check out the video clip on Twitter or Facebook.
A “waddle” of emperor penguins marched on Australia’s Casey research station last night, delighting expeditioners and surprising resident Adelie penguins.
It’s uncommon for the largest of the penguin species to be seen near Casey station.
The posse of 19 penguins was wandering over the sea-ice near Shirley Island, when they encountered Justin Chambers, Will Turner and Brendan Barnes.
Thanks for sharing your empie experience with the world!