Cargo transport by the "Aurora Australis" and facilities at Casey and Macquarie Island Stations

Abstract

The authors visited the Australian Antarctic vessel "Aurora Australis"at Hobart and investigated her navigation performance and cargo operation. One of the authors (Kenji Ishizawa) participated in her fifth voyage and visited Casey and Macquarie Island Stations from March to April 2006. One of the purposes of the investigation was to examine the feasibility of her being chartered for transport of personnel and cargo to Syowa Station in the 2008/2009 season. The second purpose was to investigate the facilities at Casey and Macquarie Island Stations. The knowledge gained through our investigations confirmed that through careful operation and accumulated experience, the vessel could be used for transport of personnel and cargo for the JARE (Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition) to Syowa Station in the 2008/2009 season. The facilities at these two stations were operated effectively. These Australian facilities can provide much useful information for the further development of JARE.