The following is an reproduction of the SitRep sent out Dec 14, 1978. I've retyped it as is was sent.
This was the first SitRep written by the new (my) crew.

Palmer Station SitRep for period ending 13 Dec 79
1.Fuel consumption: 1,385/tank one 100,631/tank two 121,015/ DFM received (RRS Bransfield) 104,540/total DFM onhand (less day tanks) 227,646/day tanks 6000.
2.Station Population: 34/Hero 12
3.Power Readings: High 98.5 kva/Low 48 kva/Average 75.2 kva.
4. Weather: High temp plus 4C (11), low temp -1C (7,8,9), avg temp 1 C, high pressure 997.4MB (8), low pressure 961.0MB (10), avg pressure 972.5MB, peak wind 15 m/s at 30 deg (11), avg wind 6 m/s, prevailing wind dir 60 deg, avg cld cvr 8/10, nmbr days 0.3, nmbr prtly cldy days 3.0, nmbr cldy days 3.7, visibility less then 400 mtrs 0.

A quantum leap in station population set the pace for a busy week at Palmer. Hero arrived off Bonaparte Point early Friday, Dec 8, and spent the day braking the fast ice that covered Arthur Harbor.
The twelve new arrivals and the crew of Hero received a hearty welcome from the members of the Team '78 who had fine-tuned Palmer for opening day. The overall condition of the station and the people who have called it home this year exemplifies what can be accomplished during a winterover. Peter Harding and Team '78 can be proud of their contribution to Palmer Station and the U.S. Antarctic Research Program.
New support personnel spent the early part of the week understudying the old hands. On 10 December M/V World Discoverer got within a few miles of Palmer but encountered heavy brash with deteriorating weather and decided not to visit the station. A wind shift the next day cleared the ice from Arthur Harbor and the first zodiac of the season was launched to that s-008 personnel could obtain some fresh phytoplankton for their winterover krill.
A fire drill was held to familiarize all hands with the new smoke detector/alarm system that had been handcrafted by Joe Parr.
Pat Kraker honchoed a final fuel line pressurization and hose test, using equipment designed by George Fitzsimmons. Then Bransfield showed up. Bunkering of fuel on 13 December went very smoothly, without a drop spilled. Hero lightered cargo from Bransfield to the dock working on resupply till the wee hours of morning. Fortunately mother Antarctica provided two unbelievably nice days for the ship offload, punctuated by the roar of calving icebergs and visits by both BAS twin otters on 13 December.
A medivac from Rothera was brought to Palmer to visit Bransfields Doctor on VP-FAW and returned to Rothera via VP-FAQ after treatment.
The resupply effort continues to run smoothly and station morale is high as everyone pitches in together.
Regards,
Konecki