Research teams have commenced their operations on Heard Island as of October 24, 2025, following the clearance for helicopter flights. Preparations involved organizing field equipment, while the voyage management team provided nightly operational plans detailing the upcoming activities and locations for the various groups.
Initial monitoring of seabirds and seals began from the ship, utilizing two individuals conducting BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) drone flights to survey the island for wildlife colonies. The capabilities of modern drone technology are impressive; these devices can cover long distances, maintain stability in strong winds, and zoom in 400 times, enabling researchers to observe birds on their nests and seal pups at play from approximately 100 meters above the ground. Drones are less intrusive compared to helicopters, which must fly at altitudes above 1500 meters to prevent disturbing wildlife.
The M400 drone was operated by two personnel stationed on what is known as the monkey deck on level 11 of the research vessel. Meanwhile, scientists were set up in a lab located near deck 9, where they monitored images transmitted from the drone in real-time. This setup allowed them to guide the drone pilots to adjust their flight path or zoom in on specific areas of interest, facilitating the assessment of extensive stretches of coastline prior to landing on the island.
In the days that followed, teams dedicated to seabird and seal research ventured to various sites on Heard Island, setting up camps for closer observations. Another group spent four days establishing a sea level monitoring station at Magnet Point, marking the introduction of the first permanent instrument designed to remotely track tides, mean sea level, and surge conditions on the island. A series of eight top hat reflectors, which serve as ground markers for satellite positioning, were transported from the ship by helicopter and arranged on the Nullabor, a volcanic grit-covered plain at Atlas Cove. These reflectors are slated to be relocated to their permanent positions in Voyage 2.
A site assessment of the previous station at Atlas Cove, carried out by the HIMI reserve management team, revealed that the tank huts were holding up surprisingly well under the harsh environmental conditions. Other teams utilized inflatable research boats to conduct seafloor mapping and investigate the marine life inhabiting the waters around Atlas Cove.
The wildlife and weather patterns have delivered some unexpected findings. Contrary to expectations of severe weather, many days have featured several hours of bright sunshine and relatively calm seas. The local black-faced sheathbills exhibit distinct personalities, curiously observing the researchers in their bright orange suits as they progress with their work. However, towards the latter part of the expedition, scientists noted concerning levels of mortality among elephant seals, a situation that aligns with instances of H5 bird flu. Fortunately, there were no unusual mortality rates reported for other species present on the island, including penguins and various seabirds. Samples collected will be sent to the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing upon the return of RSV Nuyina to Australia in mid-November.
