RSV Aurora Australis

The RSV AURORA AUSTRALIS has etched its mark in history, after having made over 152 trips to the Antarctic has left Australia for its onward voyage to Dubai, where it will likely undergo refurbishment and possibly (and sadly) a sale.

Constellation Marine services are proud to be a part of this historic vessel, having conducted a full pre-voyage suitability and condition survey prior to its departure from Hobart and onwards to Dubai. We feel lucky and humbled to be called on for this task, and thereby be a part of this momentous but sadly the last known voyage this vessel may make.

Maritime aficionados will identify the AURORA AUSTRALIS as the Australian Antarctic Programs flagship, having sailed across the Southern Ocean is often Gale force 10 winds and 12-meter-high swells, for its Marine Science and Oceanographic assignments, all along the icy waters of the Antarctic. A tough lady is what we have to say in admiration of the condition in which she had to work.

Such was the impact created by this vessel, it is often stated that for those living in Hobart, the vessel was to define their sense of space, just like the mountains and rivers that dot the island State.

The news of its departure was fiercely contested, to the extent that in June 2020, Andrew Wilke, Independent Member for Clark wrote an emotionally charged letter addressed to Hon. MP Paul Fletcher urging intervention on what was then believed to the imminent sale of the vessel, possibly to other interests, and to QUOTE do not stand by and let the RSV AURORA AUSTRALIS slip by its moorings and be lost to us forever UNQUOTE

While much is known about the vessels numerous expeditions, its life cycle highlight can indeed be its attempted rescue of the RSV Akademik Shokalskiy, and while this was aborted due to environmental factors, the 52 passengers from Akademik Shokalskiy were transported by helicopter to Aurora Australis, which subsequently returned them safely to land fall in Hobart.

Being a very small part of our association with the AUSTRALIS, we eagerly wish the vessel to have a continued prolonged service life, keeping in mind its previous contributions to the field of Marine research and the level of maritime heritage the vessel stands for. Being a very small part of our association with the AUSTRALIS, we eagerly wish the vessel to have a continued prolonged service life, keeping in mind its previous contributions to the field of Marine research and the level of maritime heritage the vessel stands for.

Refer link and news about this vessel

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-12-12/icebreaker-leaves-australia-after-150-antarctica-trips

About the Author:

Capt. Vispy Rusi Dadimaster

A career spanning 22+ years in various operation and management positions within the Maritime and Shipping Industry, including 8+ years in Fujairah (Port Operation, Agency and Logistic Management), and in command of various types of vessels, including Offshore Dynamic Positioning crafts. Within the professional roles held, I have proven to be result oriented, decisive, possess tremendous interpersonal skills, and am technically oriented My entrepreneurship skills have enabled me to lead and managed teams up to 25 people successfully, achieving challenging objectives, within challenging environments, with an aim to create a positive outcome and impact.