Farewell to the Orange Roughy, the little ship that played a big role

Australia's Antarctic Program is farewelling a little orange ship that has played a huge role in the nation’s endeavours.

Australian Antarctic Division General Manager of Operations Charlton Clark in front of the Aurora Australis ahead of its final voyage to Antarctica. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Australia's Antarctic Program is farewelling a little orange ship that has played a huge role in the nation’s endeavours on the frozen continent and in its surrounding ocean.

The icebreaker Aurora Australis late on Tuesday leaves Hobart for its final two-week voyage, to resupply sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island.

It will then be retired from service with the Australian Antarctic Division after 31 years. “I am sad to see the ship go,” said Robb Clifton, division operations manager.

“I’ve spent a lot of time on board myself and have some fantastic memories of … travelling through the Southern Ocean.

Aurora Australis. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I’ve had some amazing voyages exploring the food-web and the predator-prey interactions around the incredibly remote and wild oceans around Heard Island, in the sub-Antarctic.

“But also just year upon year resupplying our Antarctic stations and keeping our stations running. It’s been a real workhorse for our program.”

Sadness within the program at the retirement of the Newcastle-built “Orange Roughy” is tempered by excitement at the pending arrival of Australia’s new icebreaker, the Nuyina.

The $529 million vessel, undergoing final stages of its build in Romania, will have vastly superior science facilities, cargo capacity, reach, endurance and icebreaking ability.

Late delivery of the Nuyina – an Aboriginal word for the southern lights – means the division will have to hire a fill-in vessel for start of the 2020-21 Antarctic season.

Nuyina, described as a “game charger” for Australia’s Antarctic operations, is due to arrive in Hobart in November for final trials before heading south in January.

While normally a dry ship for safety reasons, the Aurora Australis’ last voyage will feature a special deck BBQ and drinks to toast its retirement.

The vessel’s owner, P&O Maritime, is yet to announce its next assignment, while some MPs are pushing for the federal government to purchase or lease it as a floating hospital ship for natural disasters.

The bright orange RSV Aurora Australis is estimated to have transported more than 14,000 expeditioners across the Southern Ocean during 150 research and resupply voyages.