21 Jan 2016

First Iceberg Sighted

Waking up to heavy snow flakes falling around the ship is not all bad. No Auroras last night, but we did cross 60degrees South latitude. The water and air temperatures are both just under 4 degrees so we have also crossed the Antarctic convergence. It was time to break out the Antarctic jackets and issue them to all on-board.  At 1045 the call came from the bridge “Iceberg!” Sure enough, 13 miles ahead we could see the glint of ice on the horizon. The official latitude was declared to be 61.41 degrees south and we had two happy winners! All crowded the wings of the bridge as we went close in for that very special occasion in the Screaming 60’s, our first berg!

Carl, our Department of Conservation observer and serving Navy Officer in another life, pulled out the sextant to determine it was 55m high and quite impressive. Large chunks broke off and crashed into the sea as we watched and Wandering Albatross and all manner of petrels flew around. The reflected blues, contrasting shapes and crashing water around this impressive block of ice will last long in the memory of our expeditioners. The first is always the best, but there will be many more to come. We are now making 12kts south with big smiles!