Hobart’s emotional guard of honour to Aurora Australis
Seaplanes, helicopters and boatloads of people showed up this morning to see the Aurora Australis off for what could be her final trip out of the state. SEE THE GALLERY, VIDEO >>
Tasmania
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SEAPLANES, helicopters and boatloads of people showed up at Hobart’s iconic waterfront this morning to see the Aurora Australis off for what could be her final trip out of Tasmania.
The 30-year-old Orange Roughy pulled out from Princes Wharf No. 1 at 9am, with its resounding horn echoing through Hobart.
SV Rhona H crew welcomed families, former Antarctic expeditioners and more onto their traditional ship to get close to the action and follow the beloved vessel out of the docks towards Storm Bay.
The farewell was bittersweet and nostalgic for Barry Becker, who had taken seven voyages to Antarctica on the Aurora Australis.
He was taking final photos of the ship when the SV Rhona H crew invited him on board to goodbye the Aurora Australis on its way to Dubai for refurbishment to be either leased or sold.
“It’s pretty special,” he said.
“It’s nice that im here to farewell it but its very sad to see it going.”
Mr Becker hoped whatever fate lay in store for the Aurora Australis, the vessel would be used to her best potential.
“She’s still got a lot of life left in her,” he said.
Boats large and small flanked the Aurora Australis as it edged out past Macquarie Point with crowds trickling along Elizabeth St Pier.
The Yandeyarra tug stayed close to the considerably larger nearly 100m icebreaker, while kayakers and jet skiers joined the flotilla.
Fourteen-year-old SV Rhona H junior crewmate Paige Thomas has been on only a handful of trips since she started volunteering, but said this experience was “something I’m going to remember for the rest of my life”.
“It’s not a regular boat, it’s unique in it’s own way,” she said.
Paige felt a special family connection to the Aurora Australis.
“My dad left on the Aurora Australis to go to Antarctica for two years when I was one.”
Rhona director Julie Porter, who has taken a tour aboard Orange Roughy, said sailing out with the flotilla felt “incredibly special”.
“She’s got a long maritime history, it’s really important to say farewell in the most appropriate way possible.”
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