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After our 3rd and penultimate visit to the Falkland Islands, we are back at sea again. A very busy 4 days was had by all on board with the visit by the Commodore, the Stanley Cocktail Party, the disembarkation of boat camp (personnel and SMBs have remained around the Falklands to carry out surveying whilst the ship goes south again), the transfer of personnel, the embarking of stores, and the essential liaison with HMS GLASGOW who also happened to be in Mare Harbour. And lets not forget the fun and exciting day we had with FOST Staff on board for a training exercise!
HMS Glasgow and HMS Endurance
There were not many who
did not feel for HMS GLASGOW’s Ships Company as they sailed for a
weeks worth of FOST exercises. However it all evens out in the end,
and at least at the end of the week they are back alongside again.
High winds (not unusual for the Falkland Islands) and the subsequent
delay in embarking our very essential stores delayed our own
sailing. However on Tuesday we eventually sailed around 1600. It
really was a relief to get back to the calmer routine of a sea
passage, and the Ships Company including a number of new joiners
settled back into life at sea.
HMS Glasgow leaving
A few exercises to test out
the Standing sea emergency party, and emergency stations on board,
have made sure that the damage control teams are up to speed. And as
we now passage south we are finalising the plans for the task ahead,
the transfer of fuel for BAS from the RRS EARNEST SHACKLETON to a
fuel depot ashore. In the last 24 hours we have begun to see ice
again, although not thick at the moment. The SHACKLETON is a day or
so ahead of us, and we hope to be beginning the task at the end of
the week.
Another fantastic sunset
On completion of the fuel transfer we will make our way back to collect the BAS science team that we dropped off on the Antarctic Peninsula a few weeks ago. The next 3 weeks for HMS ENDURANCE should see some stunning ice and scenery, as well as an opportunity for the ships entertainment committee to prove their worth, with plans for a penguin racing night, a pub night, and if all goes well an ice cricket match and possible barbecue!
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