At Sea
Once more we are at sea, this time bound from South Georgia to Gough Island. We are still in the great Southern Ocean, as evidenced by icebergs all around. The inset shows the 12-mile circle on the radar this morning at 0900 with 32 icebergs on the screen. As the day progressed, the number of icebergs decreased and the water temperature has warmed from +1˚C to +3˚C, indicating that we are approaching the Antarctic Convergence which marks the boundary of the Southern Ocean. In recent years the number of icebergs reported in this area has been on the rise, but careful analysis has led to the conclusion that this increased number is simply due to improved satellite monitoring ability rather than an increase in actual numbers.
As we sail among the icebergs we have had numerous sightings of birds and marine mammals. In addition to humpback whales, we have seen several large pods of long-finned pilot whales swimming in the company of hourglass dolphins. As we approach the Convergence, food is concentrated in the surface water attracting these mammals as well as the snowy (wandering) albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, greater shearwaters, Kerguelen petrels, diving petrels and prions which fly constantly about the ship.
Altogether today has been a lively one as we sail along with a following wind westerly wind and a moderate sea, surrounded by so many things to attract our attention.
Once more we are at sea, this time bound from South Georgia to Gough Island. We are still in the great Southern Ocean, as evidenced by icebergs all around. The inset shows the 12-mile circle on the radar this morning at 0900 with 32 icebergs on the screen. As the day progressed, the number of icebergs decreased and the water temperature has warmed from +1˚C to +3˚C, indicating that we are approaching the Antarctic Convergence which marks the boundary of the Southern Ocean. In recent years the number of icebergs reported in this area has been on the rise, but careful analysis has led to the conclusion that this increased number is simply due to improved satellite monitoring ability rather than an increase in actual numbers.
As we sail among the icebergs we have had numerous sightings of birds and marine mammals. In addition to humpback whales, we have seen several large pods of long-finned pilot whales swimming in the company of hourglass dolphins. As we approach the Convergence, food is concentrated in the surface water attracting these mammals as well as the snowy (wandering) albatrosses, grey-headed albatrosses, greater shearwaters, Kerguelen petrels, diving petrels and prions which fly constantly about the ship.
Altogether today has been a lively one as we sail along with a following wind westerly wind and a moderate sea, surrounded by so many things to attract our attention.
