6/7-15

Position: 82° 09.90' N, 09° 56.4' W, temperature +2 °C, air pressure 1027 hPa, wind 11 knots from the SSW. Ice drift 0.2 towards E. The Chief Mate and three of the Polarstern crew arrived by helicopter with equipment for cargo transfer. The priority was the disposable dangerous goods (used oil, batteries, empty fuel drums). Polarstern was now on station about 20 nautical miles to the west of the ice camp and each helicopter round trip was of the order of one hour. It became clear from consideration of the amount of cargo combined with flight crew work regulations that at least one extra day would be needed. This time would have to come out of the science time of a relatively short cruise, and it was agreed to terminate the attempted cargo transfer. Facing the prospect of another five weeks of slow drift and the summer go by, Audun asked to be transferred to Polarstern for return to Tromsø 18 July. Permission was granted by the parties involved, and the necessary document signed declearing that " RV Polarstern can proceed with her expedition according to vessels schedule and there are no further responsibilities from the side of the Master and Chief Scientist of RV Polarstern".