Unusual Detections

[Owen]

Date: January 2008
Location: Radionuclide Station 10 (RN10), Perth, Western Australia

Geoscience Australia would work alongside the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) to operate a network of Radionuclide monitoring sites across Australia, originally established as part of Australia's obligations to enforce nuclear weapons test bans, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere. Geoscience Australia would be Australia's leading agency on geoscientific matters and research and would fall under the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources. ARPANSA, however, was part of the Department of Health and was tasked with protecting Australians from both ionising and non-ionising radiation as well as being the regulatory for the use of radiation. After the abolition of nuclear weapons, these sites were repurposed into general particulate monitoring but still retained their radionuclide monitoring capability in order to ensure that Australians were safe from the effects of nuclear radiation. They form part of Geoscience Australia's wider Australian Man-Made Hazard Monitoring Network which also included sites that would detect infrasound, seismic and hydroacoustic explosions. Detections by the radionuclide sites were rare, the closest nuclear power station was in South Africa and it was only the one. Five were located in Argentina and Brazil but were distant enough. The southern latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere were known for their anti-trade winds, or "Westerlies". Winds predominantly moved from west to east, which made southern Australia prone to cold fronts fuelled by Antarctic air during the winter and would traditionally strike South-West Western Australia first.

​

The RN10 Station located in Perth would be the most westerly radionuclide detection site on Mainland Australia. There was also one in the tropical latitudes at Cocos (Keeling) Islands, but was too far north to be impacted by Westerlies. Sometime in January of 2008, RN10 was beginning to detect elevated levels of radiation in the atmosphere. It wasn't just RN10 though. As Westerlies made their way east, other radionuclide stations, RN04 in Melbourne and RN07 on Macquarie Island would also begin detecting these elevated levels of radiation, almost to the exact same amount and the timing would be spaced enough that it would be determined it was in the same band of Westerlies. Whatever its source was, it was coming from the west, somewhere in the Indian Ocean or maybe further afield, possibly the nuclear power station in South Africa. It was undetermined how well the Swedish Government was maintaining that facility during their occupation of South Africa, but it was not the business of the Australian Government to intervene in that matter until it starts impacting the health of Australians. The radiation was low, not enough to cause health problems for Australians. But it was unusual to detect. The detections were noted down by the scientists at Geoscience Australia and the Minister for Industry and Science was notified alongside the Chief Scientist, but it was not worthy enough to be taken to Cabinet.

As the months progressed and winter began settling in for Australia, cold fronts would become a lot more frequent and strong. Strong winds would batter many areas of southern Australia during the winter, as was normal. What wasn't normal though was that the three radionuclide stations of RN10, RN04 and RN07 would begin detecting elevated levels of radiation. This time it was stronger though, the strong winds clearly brought a higher level of radiation with it. The other monitoring stations of the Australian Man-Made Hazard Monitoring Network would detect nothing. No underground seismic explosions. No atmospheric infrasound explosions. No underwater hydroacoustic explosions. This clearly wasn't a re-introduction of nuclear weapons or any nation testing them in the region. The source was still indetermined. Geoscience Australia would continue doing what scientists do, recording down data and monitoring for patterns. ARPANSA, however, was starting to get nervous about the situation. These were the ones who were concerned about the health of Australians, afterall. ARPANSA was eager to start bringing this issue to the Minister for Health and to Cabinet so they could begin measures to protect the Australian public from the fallout of radiation. Geoscience Australia, however, was still wanting to collect data and make a definite determination of the source before such matter was brought to Cabinet. Cabinet had a lot of matters to deal with on a day to day business and was not eager on receiving fluffy information which was incomplete and didn't tell a whole picture.

To Geoscience Australia's displeasure, their departmental rivals, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisaion (CSIRO) was now also starting to get their fingers into this pie. They operated an air pollution monitoring station called the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station in the north-west of Tasmania operated alongside the Bureau of Meteorology. It is considered one of only three premier Baseline Air Pollution Stations in the world, alongside Mauna Loa in Hawaii and CFB Alert in the Canadian arctic. The position of the station was ideal because it was able to pick up Westerlies from the Southern Ocean without any interference from landmasses.

​

Cape Grim detected a few things at its station: Carbon dioxide, Methyl chloroform, Ozone, Radon, Aerosol Optical Depth and particles. Most things were normal, well except for Carbon dioxide which has been increasing for many years as a result of man-made climate change. Methyl chloroform had been decreasing since 1996 after its use was faded out. One thing wasn't "normal" though and that was particles. They had been steadily increasing over the year and the CSIRO decided to begin researching the air it was receiving at its laboratories at CSIRO Aspendale and found an increase in the levels of radionuclide particles. All air samples received at Cape Grim were then taken to the mainland and stored at the Cape Grim Air Archive which was located at CSIRO Aspendale in Victoria. The archive has air samples stored from as early as 1978 from the Cape Grim station. This allows the CSIRO to measure changes over time to the atmosphere. However, the CSIRO knew it was the job of Geoscience Australia to monitor radionuclide abnormalities. Why does it seem they are the only ones detecting this? The Chief Executive of the CSIRO, Dr. John Stocker, would request a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of Geoscience Australia, Dr. Neil Williams, at the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources headquarters in Canberra.

Dr. Stocker would place the findings from Cape Grim on the table.

"Did you know about this?"

Dr. Williams would look over the document. He would simply look up at his CSIRO counterpart and stare him blankly in the face.

"Don't be mad, but.... I had a feeling you guys might have discovered this eventually."

"And when did you think was a good time to let anyone know?" Dr. Stocker would respond.

"The Minister knows. What he does with that is above my pay grade. But basically, we don't know the source. The Minister isn't eager on spooking Government or the broader public or increasing scrutiny into this Department for not having answers. Think of what they would do to our budget if they saw we couldn't get them straight answers, John." Dr. Williams would respond.

"Yeah okay, well while you're playing politics my employees are getting agitated about handling massive metal bottles of radiation air and keeping it stored at the archive. Almost every single sample we have from 2008 has elevated levels of radionuclide particles in it."

There would be a momentary pause.

"And I'm sorry about that. And look, ARPANSA is on our fucking ass too about that. Originally they weren't concerned about the amount of radiation Australians were being exposed to. It still is only minute. But with the increase in cold fronts during the winter they're worried that repeated exposures to radiation would have some long-term consequences on the health of Australians. We're holding them off for now from going to the Minister for Health with this, but we're not sure how much longer. And you know once Minister Plibersek gets this news, the horses have well and truly bolted and she would begin ordering lockdowns during high winds under the Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act. Do you want to be forced to stay home all day because the Government is overreacting?" Dr. Williams would continue.

"Well then, Neil. We need to find this source. And fast. Because I'm not going to keep building a stockpile of radiated air at this archive." Dr. Stocker would respond.

"Wherever the source is, it's beyond the borders of Australia. I'm not sure what we could do without getting the Defence Force involved." Dr. Williams would respond.

"Well if you think it is somewhere in the Indian or Southern Oceans, somewhere west of Australia, we could use the Marine National Facility to find the source. If you can build a portable radionuclide monitoring station, we could stick it on the RV Southern Surveyor and send it out into the Southern Ocean to find it." Dr. Stocker would respond.

"How would you even do that without the Government knowing?" Dr. Williams would respond.

"Well it only needs Ministerial approval. And you've said the Minister already knows and wants to keep this underwraps as much as we do. He won't tell Cabinet we're doing this. We won't tell Cabinet we're doing this. Everything will work out." Dr. Stocker would respond.

"Well then... cup of tea?" Dr. Williams would ask.

"Milk, no sugar." Dr. Stocker would respond.

To be continued...

 

[Owen]

Date: December 2008
Location: CSIRO Marine Laboratories, Hobart, Tasmania

At the CSIRO Marine Laboratories in Hobart, the CSIRO's Marine National Facility: a ship named the RV Southern Surveyor, would be prepared for a long journey in the Indian and Southern Oceans. Onboard would be 10 scientists from the CSIRO along with 5 scientists from the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, which was located next door to the CSIRO Laboratories in Hobart. They would depart at night, sailing down the River Derwent and out past South Arm and Bruny Island, leaving the lights of the Tasman Bridge and Hobart CBD behind them. They would make their way around the bottom of Tasmania before heading out to the open ocean of the Great Australian Bight making their way northwest towards Perth. The vessel was only capable of travelling about 480km a day, so it would take about 6 days to reach Perth.

After 6 days it would dock in Fremantle, the main port of Perth. It would be restocked and refuelled for a lengthy journey. It was there where the scientists from the RN10 station had developed mobile radionuclide detection equipment. It would have everything necessary for the collection: a collection point for the air, a high volume air sampler with a piece of filter material, a compressor to compress the filter into a disk, a chamber to allow natural radionuclides to decay, a gamma detector to analyse the filter and the necessary computer equipment to collect the data. The collection point was mounted on the top of the ship along with all its other sensors, whilst the remainder of the equipment would be stored inside the ship. Once the process was complete, 5 Geoscience Australia scientists would join the crew, bringing the total number to 20, near the ships capacity. They would depart Fremantle into the open Indian Ocean, making an almost straight line west across to Durban, South Africa, though their orders were to strictly avoid territorial waters and to remain in international waters. The straight line west would help them to detect the changes in radionuclide particles and help navigate the course upon analysing the changes. As far as the station in Perth was concerned, it came from the west, so that was the only information they were working on. On the side of the RV Southern Surveyor would be written in capital letters "MARINE RESEARCH" and "SOUTHERN SURVEYOR, HOBART" along with the CSIRO's logo so it was clear to passing ships what the intention of the vessel was. The Australian flag would also be flown.

​

 

[Owen]

Date: December 2008
Location: 50th meridian east, Southern Indian Ocean

Between Perth and somewhere around the 50th meridian east mark within the Southern Indian Ocean, or about three quarters of the way across to South Africa, the monitoring staff from Geoscience Australia were noticing the radionuclides were ever so increasing. Not to the point where they were near the source, but they did notice a gradual increase, so they were heading in the right direction. Then all of a sudden, the measurements started decreasing.... and fast. Eventually they got to a point where it was not detected at all. Clearly they had been within the path of the radionuclides and have quickly exited out of it, indicating that it wasn't coming from the African continent. The path of the radionuclides within the winds deviates somewhere south of Madagascar. Maybe the source was in Madagascar? The boat would head north towards Madagascar, skimming around the southern tip of it, but yet again nothing was detected. It became obvious that the path was deviating from the south. The boat would make a u-turn and would head south from Madagascar. Low and behold, the readings would begin picking up again suddenly, and stronger. They would sail about half way between the Swedish Territories of Marion Island and the Crozet Islands, a distance of 1,000km. Soon enough, the readings would begin dropping again, ceasing to nothing. They were out of the path of these winds again. They would head west again, passing about 500km south of Marion Island.

​

Connor

 

[Connor]

[CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET]
[LOCATION: SUBANTARCTIC REGION, SOUTHERN OCEAN]
[TIME: 14H00M]
[OPERATION VAESITE II - INTERCEPTION]

Intentionally or unintentionally the Geoscience Australia vessel had sailed itself directly in the middle of Operation Vaesite II. This was a Swedish Royal Navy operation in the subantarctic commanded by the Antarctic Special Command and consisting of three highly-sophisticated Svalbard-Class Patrol Vessels from Heard Island Naval Base. Sweden has a huge military footprint in the southern hemisphere which spans from South Africa to Antarctica, dotted amongst various islands in-between, and Operatio Vaesite II envelops the Swedish governments commitment to stability in the region. HSwMS Mashai, HSwMS Mohlesi, HSwMS Mafadi are strategically positioned throughout the region to triangulate responses to identified or emerging threats. HSwMS Mohlesi had fully established her patrol position at the Crozet Islands whilst HSwMS Mashai continued her steady east-southeast transit towards the Price Edward Islands and HSwMS Mafadi was tracking parallel to Mashai.

Geosience Australia were surrounded. The movement of this vessel from Australia, to South Africa and now around two islands of significant national defence interest, was highly suspicious.

The three vessels forming part of Operation Vaesite II had been keeping constant communication with not only one another but also Stockholm. Constant checks had been conducted throughout their transit in the region for hazards and maritime traffic, so undoubtedly this vessel would have been detected at some point during its regional transit. It goes without saying that a vessel carrying an Australian flag is not automatically suspicious and initially this vessel was likely totally ignored by the crew as they presumed it operated as part of normal commercial traffic in the region. However, its repeated traffic pattern in and around sensitive and contested territorial claims drew increased concern to Stockholm. The current threat level to Swedish overseas territory from international terrorism was at 'heightened'.

HSwMS Mohlesi was the first vessel to alter course.

The patrol vessel maintained a distance of approximately twenty nautical miles from the Australian ship, remaining beyond visual range but well within the capabilities of her surveillance suite. Every alteration of course, every reduction in speed and every transmission originating from the vessel would begin to be catalogued and relayed through the Antarctic Special Command. The pattern was difficult to dismiss as purely a coincidence and within a very short space of time authorisation was received from Stockholm. Make contact.

"Australian-flagged research vessel, this is Swedish warship Mohlesi. Please acknowledge."​

No allegations made, no challenge issued. The intention was to ensure that vessel knew it was being watched. Simultaneously, in the west HSwMS Mashai and HSwMS Mafadi in the east would begin to close in on the vessels position, each maintaining their own stations and gathering electronic intelligence wherever possible. All information was being fed directly back to headquarters where analysts within intelligence branches would begin compiling a comprehensive assessment of the vessel, its mission profile and possible purpose behind its increasingly unusual movements through the subantarctic region.

Owen

 

[Owen]

The captain of the vessel would receive the radio transmission in the bridge. The captain would look at his other crewmembers on the bridge as they were surprised that a Swedish warship still managed to find them in the vast openness of the Southern Ocean. The RV Southern Surveyor didn't have a sophisticated surveillance suite like a Navy vessel would have and had no clue where the Swedish warship was, it was well beyond visual range. He would pick up the radio and tune to the frequency on which it came from.

"Swedish warship Mohlesi, this is Australian Research Vessel Southern Surveyor. Acknowledging, over."

By now the vessel was moving away from the Islands, but towards the Antarctic mainland, transiting in a south-westerly direction towards the Antarctic region of Queen Maud Land, but still steering well clear of any territorial waters of Sweden. They had finally figured out the direction on which the radionuclide substance was coming from and continued heading in tha direction to see how high their readings would get.

Connor

 

[Connor]

[CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET]
[LOCATION: SUBANTARCTIC REGION, SOUTHERN OCEAN]
[TIME: 14H00M]
[OPERATION VAESITE II - INTERCEPTION]

The vast openness of the Southern Ocean was a heavily controlled region with military facilities on Heard Island, Marion Island, Bouvet Island, patrolling vessels in and around the region the vessel was traversing and expansive military hubs on continental Antarctica. The region was of substantial importance to the Department of Defence. HSwMS Mohlesi had been continuously monitiring regional traffic as part of Operation Vaesite II, nonetheless the atmosphere remained controlled and procedural, the acknowledgement from South Surveyor was logged and immediately forwarded through the chain of command at Antarctic Special Command. Stockholm was well aware of Australians devotion to Antarctica and their continued resistance against Swedish occupation. As a result, the vessel was a natural concern. Senior officials within the Department of Defence would begin to be briefed on the developing situation, this was the first vessel to be intercepted in Antarctic waters for a number of years and was given the attention it rightfully needed. On each occasion, as it grew up the chain of command, they would consider additional options very carefully - escalating only where absolutely necessary.

The captain onboard gave a brief nod, prompting an immediate response over the airwaves.

"Southern Surveyor, this is Swedish warship Mohlesi, you are entering a designated exclusion monitoring zone established for regional safety and security. You are advised to divert your course immediately. This is a mandatory navigational safety directive issued by the Swedish Antarctic Special Command. Confirm your compliance. Over."​

The order was issued for the aviation posture to be increased. No urgency, just procedure, which was acknowledge and relayed to the ships aviation section. On the flight deck, the helicopter crew moved into a readiness cycle where pre-flight checks were initiated, rotor systems inspected, fuelling completed and avionics brought into a standby configuration where they could be checked. The aircraft remained secured and the rotors static but ready for immediate launch should it be authorised. The aircraft was an NHIndustries NH90 NFH equipped with two Marte Mk2/S air-to-surface missiles, alongside the static door guns.

They had not forgotten that, up to now, this was a civilian vessel.

Owen

 

[Connor]

CLASSIFIED - TASA MILITARY ACTIVITY ALERT​

SWEDISH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
SWEDISH ARMED FORCES HEADQUARTERS, STOCKHOLM
ACTIVE MESSAGE
JANUARY 2009​

ACTIVE MESSAGE
CLASSIFIED DATA ENCLOSED
NOT AUTHORISED FOR DISSEMINATION


*** START MESSAGE ***






MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, UNITED KINGDOM
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

ANTARCTIC THEATRE ACTIVE WARNING
MESSAGE OF ADVANCED WARNING DENOTING THE SWEDISH ARMED FORCES OPERATING ASSETS WITHIN IN THE FOLLOWING DEFINED REGIONS:

1: SOUTHERN OCEAN, ANTARCTICA
2: SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN, MARION ISLAND
3: SOUTH INDIAN OCEAN, CROZET ISLANDS​

DEFINED REGIONS INCLUDE RECOGNISED SECTORS 'KE' (KILO ECHO) AND 'LE' (LIMA ECHO).

NO ACTION REQUIRED.

NAVAL MILITARY ASSETS OPERATING LAWFUL MILITARY ACTIVITIES WITHIN INTERNATIONAL WATERS AND WITH DUE REGARD AS REQUIRED BY THE CONFINES OF INTERNATIONAL LAW. OPERATIONAL ORDERS DESIGNATED CLASSIFICATION ' TOP SECRET' IN ACCORDANCE WITH SWEDISH DOMESTIC LAW.

RECIPIENTS TO OPERATE WITH DUE REGARD. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE.







*** END MESSAGE ***

Jamie Odinson

 

[Owen]

The last radio message was seen as strange, this was not something that had been publicly made available prior and was unfair for the Swedish Navy to spring on unknowing civilian vessels. The captain was getting anxious that the Swedish Navy was beginning to overstep the boundaries set by international law and may operate in a way that would put the crew of the ship in harms way. By no way was he a lawyer, but he knew the basics of the law of the sea. The Swedish Navy dictating orders to vessels in international waters was definitely a questionable course of action to him. He would radio back, thinking carefully about his words as to not antagonise them.

"Swedish warship Mohlesi, we have not been made aware of this exclusion zone prior. We are unaware of the extent of this exclusion zone. More information is required in order for us to make an informed decision about changing course. This vessel is making its way across to South America to continue researching the migratory patterns of Southern right whales in the Southern Ocean during the summer season. We are operating in international waters with due regard to international law. We will not be entering Swedish territorial waters. I have no problems if you wish to follow our vessel across to South America. Over."

Connor

 

[Connor]

[CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET]
[LOCATION: SUBANTARCTIC REGION, SOUTHERN OCEAN]
[TIME: 14H33M]
[OPERATION VAESITE II - INTERCEPTION]

Legal ambiguity was Sweden's middle name. As the country has exponentially grown the country's governance has forever been... questionable. Of course the directive was unfair and it was without doubt that Sweden had something to hide, as it always does. Nonetheless, the Swedish Armed Forces were ruthless and have form for being ruthless in the defence of overseas territory. A challenge would never have come unmatched.

HSwMS Mohlesi was a hive of activity and in the coordination centre teams worked tirelessly in order to identify what this vessel was and its affiliation to the government of Australia, if any. Intelligence analysts were unable to find any association of this specific vessel ever having come into contact with the Swedish Armed Forces or security services previously, that said they were also unable to find any public record of this vessel operating in a public capacity historically either. The crew onboard were left to make their own dynamic risk assessment, without the helping hand of information or intelligence. They needed more detail and in order to do so needed to be closer. The captain paused for a short moment before issuing the order for visual identification and mission verification - the helicopter was to lift as soon as possible.

Below, the aviation team transitioned from their standby positions into launch preparation. Final checks were completed across systems, pre-flight diagnostics confirmed and the deck clearance procedures would begin hastily. The helicopter was quickly started up and the crew boarded. Communications were checks as secure and audible. Their mission was very clear: identification and clarification of intent only. No escalation. Once ready, the tactical display would update and aircraft would lift off the deck of the vessel, clearing the ship completely before flying off in the general direction of the vessel. Throughout the flight it would ensure that all sensors and systems remained active for ease of navigation and communication.

Meanwhile, back on HSwMS Mohlesi...

"Southern Surveyor, this is Swedish warship Mohlesi. Be advised the Department of Antarctic Affairs has declared closure of designated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic operational sectors to all unauthorised vessels, including civilian scientific missions operating without prior authorisation. Your current route is assessed as intersecting controlled sectors as defined under the Global Assembly Resolution on Antarctica. Report your present position, course and speed. Over."​

Owen

 

[Owen]

The captain would pick up the radio again.

"Swedish warship Mohlesi, present position is 500 nautical miles southwest of Marion Island. Course is 230 degrees. Speed is 11 knots. We are unaware of the controlled sector as defined under the Resolution on Antarctic. Would that be 60 degrees south? We are currently 53 degrees south. We will move to a course of 270 degrees once we are 58 degrees south in order to intersect through the Magellan Strait. We will not be crossing 60 degrees south. Over."

Connor

 

[Connor]

[CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET]
[LOCATION: SUBANTARCTIC REGION, SOUTHERN OCEAN]
[TIME: 14H50M]
[OPERATION VAESITE II - INTERCEPTION]

Flying twenty nautical miles was a short feat for the NHINdustries NH90 NFH, which it completed in a matter of minutes. With the Southern Surveyor maintaining its steady south-westerly course, the vast Southern Ocean was largely uninterrupted throughout its transit. But soon the helicopter would begin to enter visual range, at first it was only a faint tonal change in the distance with a low rhythmic rotor beat cutting through the wind noise of the open ocean. Over time, the sound grew more defined and resolving into the unmistakable whip of the rotor blades cutting through the air and the roar of the engines as the maritime helicopter approached at a low altitude over the water. Within a matter of moments the aircraft came into view off the starboard side of the Southern Surveyor. Clearly a Swedish naval airframe, grey-painted and unmarked in civilian terms aside from its distinct roundel painted across the side.

The sound now was pronounced. Overheard compressing the environment around the vessel even at an operational altitude the helicopters passage would have created a noticeable physical presence vibrating the air, shifting the water surface below and the overwhelming presence of the aircraft above.

The aircraft would quickly stabilise into an orbit over the ship, maintaining a steady loiter where multiple sensors systems onboard could begin to work. Onboard analysis would allow for a full situational profile to be compiled: vessel identification was quickly confirmed and the Australian flag visualised. The deck configuration would be carefully analysed for onboard equipment, weapons, personnel and capabilities. The sensors onboard, at least those that could be seen, would be again photographed where analysts on the HSwMS Mohlesi could begin to ensure this instrumentation remained consistent with atmospheric and marine environmental sampling equipment. The helicopter would then remain overhead, neither descending or altering its posture, but maintaining a persistent presence to ensure continuous visual confirmation.

The next radio communication would have the distinct hum of an aircraft engine in the background and the occasional whisper of air as the headset microphone was eaten by the helicopter pilot.

"Southern Surveyor, Southern Surveyor, this is the Swedish warship Mohlesi. You are instructed to remain clear of Swedish Antarctic controlled coordination sectors, maintain clear separation. Your movement, communications and sensor activity is under continuous monitoring. Acknowledge. Over."​

Owen

 

[Owen]

The captain would pick up the radio again, maintaining his calm demeanour in order to not inflame the siuation.

"Swedish warship Mohlesi, Southern Surveyor acknowledging. I understand your instructions. Further clarification is needed on what is the extent of the Swedish Antarctic controlled coordination sector. I would remain clear of it if I knew where it was. We are operating in international waters with due regard for international law. Is there a preferred course you would like us to maintain? Over."

Connor

 

[Connor]

[CLASSIFICATION: TOP SECRET]
[LOCATION: SUBANTARCTIC REGION, SOUTHERN OCEAN]
[TIME: 14H50M]
[OPERATION VAESITE II - INTERCEPTION]

The response from Southern Surveyor was immediately relayed through the communications circuit and logged within the incident file. A response was passed clearly with clarification:

A clear response would be given to the ship.

"Southern Surveyor, this is the Swedish warship Mohlesi. Maritime movement within the Antarctic coordination area is subject to Swedish governing procedures extending to the sixty-degree south boundary. You are advised not to breach south of sixty degrees. Acknowledge. Over."​

Above the Australian vessel, the NH90 maintained its steady orbit. Every alteration of course, every transmission and every visible activity upon the deck continued to be documented and relayed back to Mohlesi in real time. The helicopters presence was deliberate, it wasn't there to threaten, but it was there to ensure there was no misunderstanding that Swedish authorities were actively monitoring this situation.

Owen

 

[Owen]

The captain would pick up the radio again, he would try to make himself clear over the hum of the helicopter's rotor blades.

"Swedish warship Mohlesi, this is Southern Surveyor. We moving towards fifty-eight degrees south. From there we will be shifting course to 270 degrees heading on a due west course towards the Magellan Strait, moving at an equal distance between the islands of the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands before transiting through the midpoint of the Magellan Strait and into the Pacific Ocean and then gradually moving in a north westerly direction back towards Hobart. Over."

Meanwhile, other crew members would take photographs of the helicopter from the windows inside the ship as it maneuvered around the ship. No crew members were outside on the deck as the rough Southern Ocean and nippy temperatures were not ideal for that.

Connor