That sounds like an adventure. In 1993 I spent 3 days in a storm in
Commonwealth Bay with winds of >100 knots and waves peaking at 17 m. It was
perpetually dark (so much for the midnight sun!) and the windows were covered
in ice. we had to avoid icebergs by radar, growlers (submerged berg remnants
that remove propellers) by crossing our fingers, and uncharted reefs by trying
to stay in the same area (this meant turning broadside to the sea every hour).
Happily the 95 m, 4,000 tonne ice breaker Aurora Australis was up to the task
and pulled through without serious incident. But there was no sleep for 3 days,
about 90 of the 100 passengers and crew were delirious with perpetual
seasickness, and some underwent trauma counselling from the relentless fear of
death. Others drank gin all the way back to port. And there were no birds!
I'm sure the crew of the Xplore know what they are doing, but I hope you don't
encounter these sorts of conditions on the Heard I expedition, because life
rafts are no use down there.
David James,
Sydney
==============================
From: Richard Baxter <>
To: birding-aus threads <>
Sent: Friday, 22 July 2011 3:37 PM
Subject: New Pelagic Trip this October
Hello all,
On the 10th October this year, the yacht we're using on the Heard
Island Expedition will be traveling from Launceston to Fremantle and I've
organized with the skipper to conduct a twelve day pelagic sea birding trip,
through some of the best seabird territory in the country.
Whilst laying a 4000km burley trail we'll depart Launceston and travel 120nm
off Port Fairy and Portland, 200nm off Kangaroo Is and Albany prior to cutting
up the WA coast into Freo.
The yacht we're using is called Xplore and it can be seen at the Xplore
Expeditions website. Its a large, fast, comfortable yacht with cabins and some
3/4 size beds, that has spent the last four years working the Antarctic
Peninsula, The Falklands and South Georgia.
A couple of spaces have already been taken and I have four spots left.
Antarctic quality wet weather gear is provided by the boat and there will be a
chef on board. The cost is $3500, which is great value for a 12 day trip which
includes meals.
This is a non profit trip.
If you're interested, let me know.
Cheers
Richard Baxter
Sent from my iPad
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