Smooth sailing for RSV Nuyina after maiden voyage

The RSV Nuyina has returned to Hobart after it’s maiden voyage, and researchers on board have made a significant discovery. WHAT THEY FOUND >>

The RSV Nuyina has returned to Hobart after its maiden voyage to Antarctica and researchers have already made a significant discovery while on board.

Voyage leader Lloyd Symons said the first voyage, a 38 day resupply mission, was a success.

“We set off in late December with a mission to resupply Casey Station with fuel and deploy helicopters to Davis Station,” Mr Symons said.

“It’s one of our shorter voyages but it seemed like a long one because we had so much to do.

“It was exciting, we had a lot of new people who had never been to the Antarctic before, there were a lot of people excited to see penguins for the first time.”

Lloyd Symons AAD voyage manager in front of the Australian Antarctic Division icebreaker Nuyina which has arrived back in Hobart after its first scientific expedition. Picture: Richard Jupe

The new icebreaker replaced the Aurora Australis, which was in service for 30 years.

The ship is 160 metres in length and cost $528m in design and construction

It has the capacity to carry 32 crew and 117 expeditioners for trips lasting up to three months.

My Symons said the vessel itself made for smooth sailing.

“It rises very well in the waves compared to the Aurora Australia,” Mr Symons said.

“It’s significantly longer than the Aurora Australia and it rides in the Southern Ocean extremely well.”

Australian Antarctic Division icebreaker Nuyina is back in Hobart. Picture: Richard Jupe

Amid the excitement, researchers on board were able to make the first of many scientific discoveries, a 55km long glacial canyon.

“It’s a canyon that’s 2300 metres deep in front of the Vanderford Glacier, just south of Casey Station.”

“It’s the first major discovery, it’s a pretty significant, it’s a (geographical) feature that was previously unknown.”

With the ship now docked in Hobart, the Australian Antarctic Division is planning its next voyage south.

“The ship will be tied up for about 9 or 10 days and we’ll be loading up for resupply of Macquarie Island,” Mr Symons said.

“The first port of call will be Davis Station to pick up passengers and helicopters, and then we’ll go across to Macquarie Island and then back to Hobart.”