Departure Day (Arrrrrgh!)

I must admit that I am feeling a little queasy to say the least! After sitting in a room for the morning really not taking anything in. That was after the added stress of having weight limits close to the maximum allowed also in the back of the mind (30kg on the boat, 10 of which are in a pelican case and laptop)!

Anyway it is off to a good greasy BBQ before setting sail. Just the type of food to settle the stomach!

Some more photos will go in but if you are after some visuals check out the Australian Antarctic Divisions Website. http://www.aad.gov.au/

Week 6 - Pre Deperture Training

This week of training has been busy as always with the trade off of a public holiday (Hobart Show Day) in there to boot. I have been involved in running training sessions for many of the expeditioners that will be going south this Summer. The areas that have been covered with them are, Radios, stoves, clothing, survival, fire, medical and how to get on the boat.

The photos (to come) of the rather sad looking Haggland are as a result of a fire last year after the vehicle was run constantly for a number of weeks to stop it freezing up! Some fuel in a spill tray was able to ignite after it reached a rather hot temperature. Anyway a good enough reason to learn how to use fire extinguishers effectively!

Must apologise for the lack of photos in this week but the camera was never in the right place at the right time.

Week 5 Training - Haggland Extreme Mud Course

The highlight of the week has been the Haggland Training. They are a $750,000 vehicle as a fully reconditioned jobbie and at nealy $40,000 for a new track something that needs a bit of special attention. This one used to be at the Falls Creek Ski Resort but AAD got it for a bargain $20,000 a few years ago just as a training vehicle. Kingston has the capacity to fully recondition and upgrade these vehicles on site which is pretty unique.

As you can just see it was a little muddy after a little bit of circle work and bending races between poles 7m apart. They are suprisingly good in reverse as the steering comes from hydraulic arms between the front and back cabins.

Week 4 Training - SARINZ

This is the stretcher Camera in one of the rescues!

The above photo is part of the Search and Rescue Training at the Freycinet which lasted for 5 days and was a very valuable course. Focusing on serious rescue on the sea cliffs in the area.

We had to go down and pick up a person who was unconscious and hanging on a rope and then haul him up to the top of the cliff. Really is good fun but there are a lot of consequences for stuffing it up. Rescue systems always have two-point failure built in so that if one fails under load the other should stop death or further injury.

Week 3 Training In Hobart - Quads and Helicopters

Well it was a week to remember as the rain just kept on coming! Some 21 weekends with rain ticked off for Tassie. All that aside it really didn't matter as we were goin to get wet and muddy regardless as dirt, grit, mud and water laden soils flew in all directions as we embarked on a 2-day ATV (now known as quad bikes) course run by the Honda Trainers.

Next on the list was off to the Helicopter Resources Training where we found ourselves running through the helicopter roping sessions so that they can take us and our gear out into the field. Just to let you know it is not the most comfortable feeling as a helicopter almost lands on you while you hook up a couple of 44gallon drums and make sure that you do not put the sling over a ski as it could result in 'dynamic rollover' (that one is for you ARDA) and a helicopter parking on top of you upside down very quickly.

Week 2 Training Hobart - Boating

Boating was the main event this week. We spent 3 Days in small Inflatable Rubber Boats. I may spend some time in these dodging iceburgs and getting around when the sea ice moves out! Before the sea ice goes the main transport will be quad bike.

First Week

Well the first week of life in Hobart has been a whirlwind of information and equipment. All starting as the Taxi from the Airport made its way into the city centre to reveal the 'Aurora Australis' in all its glory. There is some suggestion that it adds an extra post code or city centre to Hobart when it is docked! I have been very fortunate to be put up in a single apartment in the centre of town just walking distance from the ship.

Life at work started with copious amounts of information from computer access to waste management down south. The equipment that is issued is nothing short of extreme, massive carhartt boiler suits that make you look like an Eskimo, down jackets, 2 pairs of sorels for cold and colder, safety sunnies by Bolle and knee high socks. Of course there is more!
Catching the bus each morning and afternoon means that you do actually knock off on-time which seems does make me feel a little like a St. Philips student (able to escape from work on time).