Amelia Travers At 0800 this morning the Southern Surveyor, complete with her enthusiastic crew of UTAS Masters students, farewelled Sydney and steamed out into the wide ocean. With a pilot at the helm we were given an introduction to the science activities planned for the voyage, shortly followed by a ?chefs tour? and safety induction to the ship which resembles in almost all ways a steel rabbit warren (sans rabbits). Despite some pale faces and queasy stomachs the Morning shift tackled the first science sampling station with vigour. We started by prepping the Conductivity Temperature Depth sensor (CTD), which is being used to calibrate a collection of eXpendable Bathy Thermographs (XBT), under the watchful eye of the crew. After a few technological glitches a number of XBT?s were released whilst the CTD made its stately way down to 1000m below sea level. From the operations room we watched as the temperature readings from the XBT?s that were dropped over the side. The water temperature varied from a balmy 25 degrees at the surface dropping slowly but surely down to a bitter 7 degrees or so around the 900m mark. After the CTD was recovered water samples were taken from canisters to measure attributes such as oxygen, nutrients and chlorophyll. All these measurements are used to develop an understanding of the water column and how that has changed over time. As the AM group signed off for the day, sea legs a little wobbly but hardening up, the PM shift signed on demonstrating great dedication to science by undertaking testing in the rolling seas from 2am till 4:30am. We?re all looking forward to facing the second day well rested with a full stomach!