OCEANIC RESEARCH FOUNDATION

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Several pages of other activities and interests

One of our highly experienced members has provided us with his most comprehensive mariner's view of crossing the Southern Ocean and negotiating Antarctic waters which is a MUST READ for anyone thinking of a sea trip South.
This is a Word doc, print it out and be enthralled. See Jan Newsletter for the ORF's involvement with the 2001 2002 SHW expedition.
Apart from gripping descriptions of conditions and dangers in the world's wildest seas there are astute comments on the future of the Frozen Continent and human visitation. Thanks Iain for an enjoyable and thought provoking read !

Also from Iain Kerr, his Report on The Nautical Institute's Square Rig Course he completed in Sydney last year. This is stirring stuff with some beautiful photos, and as Iain points out " - it has proved very popular. Significance to ORF is that Aurora was a sailing ship like that and it gives a feel for what is was like on the early Antarctic expeditions. However the sailing ship training is also relevant to DS Explorer as by the time a boat is a schooner they are starting to move up from yachts into working boats and much of the sailing ship training is for schooners as well as square rig. ". Thanks again Iain, no doubt many will be pleased to know such a course is available in Australia.

The January 2005 Newsletter has been posted to members and is also on-line. See how the Dick Smith Explorer refit is coming along.

A brief description of the 20 metre ship.

Sailing Training reference sheets, Knot diagrams, Buoyage, Signals and Flags.

A selection of recent Newsletters 2002 to 2005.