Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley has welcomed the return of RSV Nuyina from its history making maiden Antarctic voyage, saying that the state of the state-of-the-art ice breaker had opened a new window of discovery for Australia's Antarctic scientists.
RSV Nuyina returned to its home port of Hobart this morning with a list of scientific achievements, including the discovery of a giant underwater canyon 2200m below the surface of the Southern Ocean, and that of an undersea mountain taller than Mount Kosciuszko.
"This has been a spectacular start for Nuyina," Minister Ley said.
"On its maiden Antarctic voyage, the scientific capability of this ship turned a 39-day commissioning and resupply mission into a voyage of international discovery.
"The Nuyina is allowing our Antarctic scientists to do things they simply haven't had the capacity to do before and underlines our commitment to Antarctic world leading Antarctic science.
"I congratulate all involved in the voyage as the Nuyina as they continue to commission this fantastic vessel."
Acoustic instruments mounted within the hull of Nuyina's drop keel, including a multibeam echosounder were used to map the seafloor, throughout the voyage.
A watertight 'wet well' deep inside the ship, was also able to capture thousands of Antarctic krill, in perfect condition for researchers to study."
Critically, the ship also achieved a successful resupply, pumping almost one million litres of fuel to Casey to keep the station running, as well as delivering helicopters and supplies to Davis.
Australian Antarctic Division staff and Serco crew are now preparing Nuyina for its second voyage to Davis and Macquarie Island in early February.
