16 Feb 2016

Crossing the Line

We are now surging south at 12 knots, watching the latitudes climb higher and higher as we race to the bottom of the world. Everyone is on the lookout for the first icebergs. Temperatures are dropping fast and crossing 60 degrees south brought us into the zone where the Antarctic Treaty comes into effect so we are now officially in Antarctica. It was time for all Antarctic virgins to assemble on the foredeck to be appeased of their sins to please King Neptune, as is fitting for the ‘Crossing of the Line’ ceremony! This would surely bring us good luck, but how was this done? With the fire hose of course! It generated satisfactory screams from said virgins and laughter from the old hands! Passing into Antarctic territory also marked the launch of our first meteorological drift buoy and one will be launched every degree of latitude for the next five degrees. Everyone was on deck to send it away. These will automatically relay via satellite barometric pressure, sea water temperature and current rates for the next few years to assist with weather forecasting in the region. The current forecast is for favourable weather right to Cape Adare. Our King Neptune ceremony has already done some good!