Serco joined Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) representatives and Sussan Ley, Minister for the Environment, in Hobart recently to celebrate the success of this year’s Antarctic season with RSV Nuyina. From station refuelling to helicopter operations, delivery of equipment and supplies, and the safe transportation of expeditioners, Serco has supported Antarctic and marine science activities across Australia’s research stations.
Serco Maritime Managing Director Clint Thomas said Serco is proud to play such an important role in supporting Australia’s Antarctic Program, leading AAD Southern Ocean voyages over the summer. “Serco’s operation of the Nuyina ensured vital Antarctic operations and research could take place throughout the season,” Thomas said. “Serco successfully supported two Southern Ocean voyages this season, which achieved a number of exciting ‘firsts’, and tested the vessel’s capabilities in some of the world’s most formidable conditions.”
On the most recent voyage, Serco and AAD teams successfully delivered 100 tonnes of regular resupply cargo plus 350 tonnes of building supplies and a specialist trades team to commence on-ground works for the AAD’s Macquarie Island Modernisation Program. “Offloading a large amount of cargo piece-by-piece from Nuyina onto amphibious vehicles that navigate through surf, drive up the rough and rocky terrain carrying material to the station is no easy feat, yet our expert crew worked with watercraft operators to ensure this vital operation was completed successfully,” Thomas said.
In addition to completing these vital operational activities, Serco was proud to play a role in a number of important scientific discoveries made by AAD expeditioners. “Being part of the discovery of a previously unknown canyon, which is more than 2,200 metres deep, 2,000 metres wide and at least 55 kilometres long, is exciting and certainly a memorable experience for our crew,” Thomas said. “To then map the summit of a 2,500-metre-high underwater mountain, which is higher than Mount Kosciuszko, really brings to light the capability of this incredible ship.”
Nuyina is now en route to Singapore for a scheduled dry-dock to carry out planned maintenance, before returning to Hobart later in the year to commence its second Antarctic season operations. Icebreaker RSV Nuyina is a $1.91 billion investment over 30 years by the Australian government and forms the centrepiece of the Australian Antarctic Program. This state-of-the-art ship offers scientists unprecedented and extended access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica. Serco Australia project managed the overall ship design and build process and will operate and maintain the vessel for up to 30 years from its home port of Hobart. RSV Nuyina is operated by 32 Serco crew for voyages lasting up to 90 days.
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