In the event, we were repeating station 71 exactly 7 days from its first occupation, to within hours. Clearly had we not had the full 7 days extension to the cruise, we would have been in great difficulty to complete the section. Since then, we have continued northwards varying the station spacing according to the positions of fronts and steep topography. We are at station 94 at this moment, in glorious sunshine, and visibility has increased markedly recently. Our first bbq is planned for Saturday.
Data processing continues apace.
Sections of all the nutrient and oxygen data have been produced and nicely complement the CTD temperatures , salinities and geostrophic currents . It has been satisfying to map the increasing signal of the North Atlantic Deep Water, and the descent of the Antarctic Intermediate Water. We are all very pleased with the results so far. The race to do the most stations has now been won decisively by the CTDs, but it is still neck and neck between XBTs and met balloons. The main tribulation of the last week has been the winch system.