Written Thursday, 29 November

After the first night at sea, which ended with a still strangely bright morning, we start a very busy day. We scientists get an introduction into the daily operations of the ship into which we will have to integrate ourselves in the next 70 days, and after that a siren calls us for a first safety drill. Today this means only that we move to the assembly point on the heli deck, dressed warmly, wearing a hat and proper shoes and the life vest.

The antarctic already in my heart, I walk through the door to the outside — and I am very surprised to find the air still very warm! We are still at 37° South, and a long way away from our study area. In the afternoon we busy ourselves getting the boxes, which we had packed such a long time ago, out of the containers. Mine are, like all the other Senckenberg boxes, quite close to the bow of the ship, while all the labs are aft and three decks below — improvisation is required here! But, as always, helping hands and organised minds are available, and within a short time boxes and tubs and other heavy and bulky things are carried down narrow hallways to the elevator (thank God for that...) and then down more narrow hallways to the labs. During dinner everybody enjoys not only the excellent food, but also a sense of achievement!

Brigitte Ebbe, Senckenberg
Photos: A. Brandt, L. Würzberg, Hamburg