‘Bounty hunter’ in port

Press, 23 March 1985, Page 8

‘Bounty hunter’ in port

H.M.N.Z.S. Monowai played “bounty hunter” on her recent survey work of sub-Antarctic islands. Completing the first survey of the area since last century, the Monowai plotted Bounty Island more than 6km from where it was drawn previously. Commander Ken Robertson said it had long been known that the island was not exactly where it should be according to the old maps. But the old maps were not too badly astray considering the ship that did the survey did not have the benefit of the Monowai’s

satellite navigation system and modern computer technology. The Monowai berthed at Lyttelton yesterday for a week-end break from its survey duties and Commander Robertson said he thought the trip south had been a great success. “At least all the geologists aboard seemed happy,” he said. Commander Robertson is a hydrographic specialist, and he said that along with the ship’s usual work she had on board 12 scientists from various Government departments who studied the geography of the

islands. Some unique Antipodes Island parrots were caught, and Commander Robertson said they would be bred from and sent to other islands to protect them from extinction. Three days were also spent trying to catch a Campbell Island teal, but without success. “The islands were covered in birds,” Commander Robertson said. “None of them had seen a human before. You could go up and pick an albatross off its nest.” After completing the survey work the Monowai

spent two days getting samples from the Urry Knolls on the Chatham Rise. The knolls were believed to be volcanic but no samples had been retrieved until now, Commander Robertson said. “We dredged around and just by luck picked up a bit of rock.” The geologists got excited, but Commander Robertson said he did not know the exact significance of the find. H.M.N.Z.S. Monowai will be open to the public tomorrow between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. She will sail on Monday to complete survey work in Cook Strait.