Stancomb Wills...

Late afternoon we are at Stancomb Wills, indeed the ice has closed in, but not too badly. The Captain has control of the ship up in the ‘Conning Tower’ (the Crows Nest with elevated views forward of the ice). The Shackleton weaves and turns to thread a path through the patches of ice, gunning at full throttle for areas blocking our way, crunching into them and splitting the thick ice around the hull. Only once was the ship brought to a standstill by the ice, otherwise some momentum was maintained as the ice slowly conceded defeat and parted ahead for a run to more patchy ice and water.

So in the end we got our wish of some decent ice breaking, not as extreme as many runs down to Halley, but completing the full travelling experience for us before we disembark.

Our estimated time of arrival at ‘Creek 4’ (the current Halley ‘Ice Dock’ in use this season), is around 6.00am tomorrow morning. We are 3 hours behind UK time, so that is 9.00am in the morning there. Not sure how quickly we will be off and headed across the ice to the Halley site, but I am getting my gear together tonight, a pile of thermal and bright orange clothing being piled up ready for the onslaughgt of the Antarctic cold.

So this will be the last blog entry from on board the Shackleton, our home for the last Fortnight. Overall it has been a good experience, I think the ship and her crew do a great job. The food is excellent courtesy of the Galley Cook and his assistant, the ship is maintained well and is always clean, thanks to her engineering crew and the chief steward for who we undertake our Gash duties. And as always the Captain and his officers guide the best passage possible given a variety of conditions.

It is thanks to all them and off to another totally new and alien experience. Not sure when I will be able to add more, I’ll need to find out what the arrangements are up on site, so watch this space…

On our way to Stancombe Wills, ice forming


Ice closing in around the Shackleton


The Shackleton casts her shadow over the ice being ripped apart


The cracks appear and 'the Shack' moves on


A Leopard Seal barks at the ship, disturbing its day

Drab mornings, Sunny afternoons...

Today started pretty drab and grey. The sea looked grey, the sky was grey and the ice shelf coastline was grey as well.

The prospect was for not much ice. The crew were over the moon with this, we were wanting the full Antarctic ice breaking experience!

The ship was in open water to begin with, with just a fine crust of sea ice beginning to form on the surface, the sheets being split and stacked up on each other as the ship pushed on through.

On the horizon a bright sunny patch began to appear and with the unending slog of 10 to 12 knots ships pace, mid morning this opened up and presented some spectacular views of the Antarctic ice shelf coastline. Our route for the best part hugging the coastl and following a fairly clear water path, passing the Drescher Inlet and Lydden Ice Rise.

Prospects were looking good for a clean passage through to Halley, a reconnaissance flight of one of Halleys Twin Otter aircraft flew the route up to us and reported a ‘7 tenths’ ice formation generally along the route, but with a clear strip between coast hugging fast ice and the floating sea ice of approx 200m width. That was our target route set.

The last worry for the Captain and his crew was the dreaded ‘Stancomb Wills’, a final peninsula of ice shelf to round before a straight approach into Halley, where the ice regularly comes together in a consolidated mass. Could be tricky, but overall the prognoses was good.

A grey morning start over the Antarctic coast


The combination of grey clouds and ice made this iceberg appear to be burning


But the weather picked up.... 'T' shirt weather!


The stunning ice shelf coastline

Hi to All

Hi to Everyone.

Thanks for the odd comments being left on the blogsite, feel free to add more, it's good to get some feedback from home.

Not much has been happening today, we have been in and out of ice, there will be more ahead before we get to Halley so I will post some more pics then.

Does anyone back home have any detail how Martins trip to Tanzania went??

Bye for Now.

Fire in the Sky

Into the evening and the almost setting sun (at this time of year it is still almost light for 24 hours, there are a few ‘twilight’ hours as the sun just dips under the horizon for a short while), there are some fantastic views presented with distant icebergs seeming to burn in the setting sun.

A lonely looking penguin went floating by on a piece of ice, must be wondering what that big red and white noisy this is doing in his garden.

If today is anything to go by, then the experience to come will only be better and more fascinating as every day trips past.

As overcome as we are with the place, we need to buckle down and get into everything that is Halley VI now. There will be a host of issues to sort out on site and much planning needed to put in place solutions to enable the next season to achieve the most progress.

Lets see what tomorrow brings….

The broken field of ice


Fire in the sky...



A Lonely Emperor Penguin

GASH and XBT ??

Meanwhile, it has been Phils turn on GASH duties today, he seems to enjoy himself far too much though! Maybe a message for home – Phils enjoys vacuuming, mopping and peeling spuds, best get a domestic rota set up for his arrival home!

Also, whilst we are admiring the view and answering e-mails from site, the XBT duties (which I now know stands for ‘Expendable Balythermograph’ – well that makes that a whole lot clearer!) continue. We have had a few difficulties getting the various bits of kit and software to work, but we continue anyway. Through the daytime these are now done at 3 hourly intervals. My last on at 6.00pm went fine.

Phil and I discuss the days tasks


Phil gets stuck into his tasks, a little to eagerly


Spuds?.... no problem...


AB Andy Campbell (in Cossack style hat) launches the 6.00pm XBT

At Last.... Antarctica!

Well today, after what seems an age at sea, we have finally got some ice. Not a lot by Antarctic standards and those who have been here before will understand that, but to us, we have made it, finally we get to see Antarctica!

We are following a route along the coast of Antarctica, through a clear passage (well, quite a bit of ice, but clear by the ships standards), currently passing the Fimbulisen and Jelbartisen Ice shelves, heading toward Halley. Our current position as I write is about passing where the South African ‘Sanae’ base is located inland.

Watching the ice flows pass and icebergs in all their varieties, seeing the Antarctic shelf coastline in the distance off the port (left) side for the first time is amazing. We have suddenly realised that this is real and we are headed for Antarctica, a very special place. To be here in this relatively untouched area of the world is quite extraordinary and I feel very privileged to be here.

The Shackleton is now coming into her own. Whilst the ice is still very broken and relatively thin, the ship cuts through the sheets of ice in our way with consummate ease. The ice is simply barged out of the way or pulled beneath the hull and split apart by the ice breaking shaping and reinforcement to the bow of the ship. The sudden thuds, bangs and ripping sounds are a little disconcerting however, when you are onboard. The ship lurches aside as it hits sections of ice and the sounds and shudders that accompany it are heard and felt throughout the decks.

Yet this is viewed as ‘nothing’ by the ships crew, ‘wait until we get into solid pack ice, then you’ll here and feel a few things’ they say. Not being a seasoned Antarctic traveler I can only imagine what else may lay in store, but for now I think the Shackleton is doing a grand job.

The thin line on the horizon is the Antarctic ice shelf


Entering the ice...


Was that a near miss....???


Icebergs thro' components of the ship

More Ice

The icebergs are growing is size and regularity, a count from the bridge yesterday morning revealed about 13 in view at one time. The colours vary with the type of 'berg and ice, deep blues and greens as well as standard white.



Incidentally Phil Wells also has a blog site with some amusing views on our trip, he has a link to mine, so I had better include a link to his:
http://into-the-freezer.blogspot.com

I’ve just finished my early morning stint on GASH duties, just having a rest before hitting the lunch time clear up. That will do for now, keep watching for the next installment, we are assured by the Captain that we will get to the Halley base at some point, but the days are melting into one another now, a long time at sea!!

Oh – PS – this one is especially for Sam C, this photo is of the mess area where we all gather to eat and that today on my duties I have to help keep tidy and clear, hope I don’t have to keep doing the same when I get home!!

Science and Engines..

A few things have been happening over the last day or so, we (Phil Wells - HBA and I) are now scientists in training, we have had an exhaustive tour of the ships engine and thruster rooms, and the icebergs are multiplying by the hour and getting bigger (and arriving in a variety of colours!).

Our introduction into Antarctic science is courtesy of being involved in the XBT launching and data logging. Not sure what the right science terms and descriptions are, but here goes an attempt at some explanation:

Within the Antarctic ice flows, there are numbers of totally clear areas appearing (i.e. no ice, just sea) in the middle of the ice (correct scientific name - polynas). Scientists are trying to find out what is causing them (possible sea temperature differences/thermals melting the area of ice etc.). So, anyone who is on the area on shipping routes contributing to the exercise, within the sort of 50degree latitude line south, are launching sensors to monitor the sea temperatures at regular intervals.

This is the XBT bit (still not sure what it actually stands for, will try and find out for the next entry!). Basically a probe on a very long very thin copper line is launched from a very imposing looking 'gun'. We were looking forward to seeing this 'launch' the first time, expecting a big bang and some probe thrust out to sea by some explosive charge, indeed even warned by the Chief engineer that full PPE must be worn!

The reality after discovering the Chief engineers ruse, was to pull a pin out of the sensor tube loaded in the 'gun', to let the probe gently drop out of the end into the sea. Very exciting! Glad I wore my padded suit, steel toed boots, gloves, hard hat, safety goggles, life vest, harness, knee pads, elbow pads, ear plugs.....

So the probe is connected by the wire to the tube in the 'gun' via sensors, to a cable, finally connecting to a PC on which data logging software is loaded. The sea temperature is then logged as the probe falls (down to a total 760m in depth). The file is saved and e-mailed to the Met office for their use as well.

These launches need to be at 6 hour intervals, even right through the night, we have a rota set up, I have just completed my 6.00am launch with results logged. Interestingly, the results show a half degree increase in temp. from yesterday at Noon, it was then around 0.4 degrees, today it was around 1 degree. So as we are getting further south the sea is getting warmer??

Good to know we are doing are bit for scientific research, soon no doubt to also be attributed to global warming!

Phil watching expectantly for the first XBT launch
(He's the one on the right)


The XBT data log screen, the temperature against sea depth


Also on Saturday we had a full tour of the ships control room, engine room and other engineering spaces of the ship. All interesting to an engineer such as myself, but nothing that I will bore you with too much here, I don’t think Phil followed too much of the explanations, but was keen to get around and observe markings on the floors for escape routes – always thinking of the job!

The Shackleton is a pretty clever but of kit though, and is used extensively through the summers in the North Sea serving the rigs where her abilities with side thrusters and retractable 360 degree azimuth prop enable her to keep very close position for essential tasks.

It still bounces about a lot on the sea though! the front mounted accommodation meaning all the ships movements are felt by those held captive (sorry, guests on board).

The Ships main engine room, engines at the back,alternators middle and gear box/clutch housing at the front.

Phil looking a little apprehensive at the size of the engines!

Me in my bright orange BAS thermal overalls with Caroline Lewis of BAS (note the fancy glasses!!)

Ice with that..?

Friday 1st February 2008, 13.10 hrs (GMT -1)
Another first today - our first Icebergs spotted. Until now there have been only far sightings on the radar, but these passed by within about a mile of the ship on the left side (port, I believe). We are now past the 50 degree latitude line at about 53 degrees, still heading south, but on a slightly different heading, taking us slightly south westerly as the ship needs to take some ocean depth readings (recently varying between some 1500 and 5100m in depth!! crikey!). The journey from Cape Town to Halley is not a usual run for the Shackleton, so they are gathering what data they can for scientific and future travel needs. Also the sea temperature has now dropped to fractionally above freezing (about 0.4degC), so not a time to take a swim.
Thankfully the seas have calmed a little overnight, allowing a bit more sleep than usual. The past 4 days or so have been like having your bed on a fairground big dipper ride, compressed into you matress one minute, thown off and sideways the next.
Here's to better weather.....

Icebergs off the port side:



Another changing view from the porthole:

On The Move

Just a couple of pics from the journey so far...



The Shackleton cutting the South Atlantic waters, the red hull reflected in the spray



We have been joined by some other guys - this ones called 'Albert Ross'

Changing Views

My Shackelton Cabin - No 408 for those that know


View from the porthole leaving CT - The Twelve Apostles


View from the porthole a day later, guess there will be a few like this!

Away at Last

On the Waterfront in Cape Town, our Shackleton hotel in the background

A final send off by the local gulls

The last views of Cape Town as the Shackelton leaves

Lots of water, just lots and lots of water


Well we finally managed to get away from Cape Town, the delay being receipt of the generator part that needed to be fitted. This came via Jo'berg and arrived with box but no part. Eventually it was found, fitted and trialled overnight, allowing the ship to sail the next day.
The temerature was pushing 30DegC in the shade, so all the crew were not too happy at having to leave that to head for 5 weeks against the ice in Antarctica, shore leave didn't seem so appealing there.
A pilot boat saw the Shackleton safely out of harbour and into open seas, there were a few seeing the ship off on shore, mainly tourists watching from in front of the posh Cape Town waterfont Hotels and Malls, next to which we had been berthed for a few days.
The views of Table mountain, the Lions Head and Rump, the Twelve Apostles and Cape Point (the so named mountains, hills and final most south westerley point of South Africa) were stunning as we turned due south to head for the Ice.
We are now a few days at sea and that is pretty much all there is, lots and lots of sea to see. We have had some pretty good weather since leaving, with some sea swells causing the Shackleton to bob and sway around quite a bit. I have so far managed to keep everything down with the aid of pills, although my travelling companion - Phil Wells of HBA Architects, hasn't faired so well to date, but suffered an initial bout sea-sickness. The forcast is for us to be running into some pretty rough weather late tonight/tomorrow morning, which we will aparantly be in for around 3-4 days! I just hope the pills continue to work.
Due to the restrictive environment and repetative nature of the days on board, we have begun to start the day over breakfast (7.30 to 8.15am) with lines such as..
'Day 3 on the Big Brother ship, today the shipmates have again managed to keep their breakfast down..'
The similarities to the BB house (not that I particularly watch the mind numbing programme) are there, its just not as confined. It makes you wonder how on earth they manage to survive at all for so long.
Well that is it for now, I don't expect to be posting much more over the forthcoming days unless something presents itself, it will more time at sea. Hopefully when we reach the ice there will be some more exciting pictures to post. Bye for now.

Cape Town Waterfornt

The Ernest Shackleton at Berth in Cape Town

Still in Cape Town

I arrived in Cape Town at the start of the week expecting the Shackleton to be sailing pretty shortly afterwards, however, the late arrival of the temporary tents (to see the Halley modules through the winter without cladding), repairs being carried out to one of the Cats brought back from Halley and a part needed for the generator have delayed the sailing date.

It now looks like we will be sailing late Thursday/Early Friday. Feedback from site seems to be that there will be lots to do when we ge there. Still, the temperature yesterday was around 35degC with unbroken sunshine. This morning seems to be going the same way. I guess there are worse places to be waiting!

The Start

Just received confirmation of the tickets to get me to Cape Town today along with a sudden realisation that I will actually be heading off to Antarctica in 2 weeks time!!

Apart from the sudden desire to go and buy loads of thermal underwear, I need to get my head around what I do need to take. Some good advice to be sought from Dave (Windy Miller) Mitchell on this I think.

So the last 18months of hell in getting Halley VI to the point of being able to be built, now means that it needs to be built. I'll try and post regular photos of my trip (short though it is) and let all know how things are going.