I'm afraid I made a big mistake in my previous blog entry, for which I humbly apologise.
I referred to Dave Mitchell as being half of an "English" pairing, forgetting of course that Dave is actually from Wales! As most will know this is a bit of an insult, so Dave, please accept my apologies.
The revised blog is highlighted in red below.
I'll try and not make any more such mistakes in Future!
Thanks - Andy
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Thursday, 14 February 2008
It's Early, Stupidity, and the Roof
The promised Valentines day sunset was early! When we got to tea last night, there was a notice on the board saying first sunset at 10.03 local time.
Around 21.50 everyone started gathering and sizing up the best photographic opportunities, was it on the Laws platform, or down by the Halley signpost, or out near the build site?
Personally, whilst initially wanting to get some great shots, I couldn’t care too much at the end. Minus 21 degrees Celcius, stood outside in not the best choice of wear for the evening, and with a camera battery taking its last gasps of life, I opted for jumping back in the door and popping back outside just when the sunset was about to happen.
There was some debate as to whether the sun did actually set. All of the base scientists were certain it was going to happen. Time ticked on by, but at around 22.20 local time, the consensus was that we had seen the first sunset of the 2008 Antarctic year!
About 10 minutes later dawn broke and the sun rose again!!
It seems a bit strange this 24 hour daylight, but things should change rapidly now, unfortunately the falling temperatures probably the most!
After that, there was another milestone on site today, the roof was raised into position on the first module of Halley VI being clad. The planning went well, the rigging team got to work, the rigging team were frozen, up on cherry pickers in -20degC temperatures isn’t good, and we all retired for a nice warming cup of tea.
Now for the stupid bit - my travelling colleague Mr Phil Wells of Hugh Broughton Architects, has rather landed himself in it. On Sunday, there is a sponsored ‘Ski’ around the perimeter of the Halley Base. The aim is to jointly achieve 320 laps around the base, to total some 1600 kilometres. The significance of this distance, is that it is that far to the South Pole from here, so it would be the first “Halley ski” to the pole. The aim is to raise money for the Lifeboat RNLI charity.
Phil has proposed to not ski, but walk the route, pulling a loaded sledge to reflect the actual weight you would need to pull if you actually did a walk to the pole, based upon the provisions and kit you would need.
Some good advice has been sought from our past colleague Mr Dave Mitchell, formally of Morrison Construction (who in 1997 was the Welsh half of a pairing to be the first British men to walk to the North Pole unsupported (i.e. with no assistance, just them and 2 sledges with all their gear) sorry Dave for raising this, but it was some achievement – we are not worthy!) and the result is needing to walk an average of 22km a day, with a sledge which weighing around 150kg!
So not being one to let someone suffer alone, I have pledged my support also and will undertake the same onerous task. To achieve the distance, the target will be 4 laps of the base, not sure if we will manage this, but it is worth a try. Hope the weather is kind with no wind and sunny skies, if not it could be tough. Whatever the temperatures will be around the minus 20 mark!
So anyone wishing to remotely sponsor me would be much appreciated, there are details at: http://www.justgiving.com/ski_to_pole
Just get online and pledge some support.
I’ve got to go and get some serious training ion now with only a couple of days to go, I’ll keep you informed of how we get on. There are some more details on Phils blogsite – address in the links section above.
Kirk - The Halley Base Cameraman and Field GA recording the first sunset
The Laws Platform glowing in the setting sun
The Halley Aerial array and Satellite dome
And now for the roof....
Around 21.50 everyone started gathering and sizing up the best photographic opportunities, was it on the Laws platform, or down by the Halley signpost, or out near the build site?
Personally, whilst initially wanting to get some great shots, I couldn’t care too much at the end. Minus 21 degrees Celcius, stood outside in not the best choice of wear for the evening, and with a camera battery taking its last gasps of life, I opted for jumping back in the door and popping back outside just when the sunset was about to happen.
There was some debate as to whether the sun did actually set. All of the base scientists were certain it was going to happen. Time ticked on by, but at around 22.20 local time, the consensus was that we had seen the first sunset of the 2008 Antarctic year!
About 10 minutes later dawn broke and the sun rose again!!
It seems a bit strange this 24 hour daylight, but things should change rapidly now, unfortunately the falling temperatures probably the most!
After that, there was another milestone on site today, the roof was raised into position on the first module of Halley VI being clad. The planning went well, the rigging team got to work, the rigging team were frozen, up on cherry pickers in -20degC temperatures isn’t good, and we all retired for a nice warming cup of tea.
Now for the stupid bit - my travelling colleague Mr Phil Wells of Hugh Broughton Architects, has rather landed himself in it. On Sunday, there is a sponsored ‘Ski’ around the perimeter of the Halley Base. The aim is to jointly achieve 320 laps around the base, to total some 1600 kilometres. The significance of this distance, is that it is that far to the South Pole from here, so it would be the first “Halley ski” to the pole. The aim is to raise money for the Lifeboat RNLI charity.
Phil has proposed to not ski, but walk the route, pulling a loaded sledge to reflect the actual weight you would need to pull if you actually did a walk to the pole, based upon the provisions and kit you would need.
Some good advice has been sought from our past colleague Mr Dave Mitchell, formally of Morrison Construction (who in 1997 was the Welsh half of a pairing to be the first British men to walk to the North Pole unsupported (i.e. with no assistance, just them and 2 sledges with all their gear) sorry Dave for raising this, but it was some achievement – we are not worthy!) and the result is needing to walk an average of 22km a day, with a sledge which weighing around 150kg!
So not being one to let someone suffer alone, I have pledged my support also and will undertake the same onerous task. To achieve the distance, the target will be 4 laps of the base, not sure if we will manage this, but it is worth a try. Hope the weather is kind with no wind and sunny skies, if not it could be tough. Whatever the temperatures will be around the minus 20 mark!
So anyone wishing to remotely sponsor me would be much appreciated, there are details at: http://www.justgiving.com/ski_to_pole
Just get online and pledge some support.
I’ve got to go and get some serious training ion now with only a couple of days to go, I’ll keep you informed of how we get on. There are some more details on Phils blogsite – address in the links section above.
Kirk - The Halley Base Cameraman and Field GA recording the first sunset
The Laws Platform glowing in the setting sun
The Halley Aerial array and Satellite dome
And now for the roof....
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Getting on With Things
We have now been here at Halley for a few days and are adapting to life in the Antarctic.
Here at the Halley V base, life adapts to the environment, for instance you need to plan ahead to go anywhere, even to the loo. To go outside involves getting into the thermal boiler suits or coats, muckluk boots, hat, goggles, gloves etc. Everything takes several times longer than usual, so advance planning is really needed.
The weather on Sunday I referred to got pretty bad (well, to Phil and I, but by Antarctic standards it was nothing, apparently). The winds increased and the blow of snow across the whole base really wiped things out. The photos below show the morning sunny weather, and then the evening as we were walking back from the Piggot building – things can change pretty quickly. The temperature with windchill got down to -27 degrees that night! By the morning, it had blown through and we have had unbroken clear blue skies since. Strange.
The temperatures are beginning to drop significantly, it was -16.4 degrees this morning, warming to a positively balmy -9.5 degrees around lunchtime with the effect of the sun! The first sunset of the summer is anticipated on 14th February, then its gets really cold!
So other than getting stuck into the site works, we haven’t been up to much. I’ll post a bit more over the next few days on the lifestyle here and some pics around the base, so until then, bye for now.
Sunny in the morning....
Not so sunny in the evening!
One of the space age looking modules takes shape
The module and the nearly setting sun
Its a long way home.... (in km by the way)
Here at the Halley V base, life adapts to the environment, for instance you need to plan ahead to go anywhere, even to the loo. To go outside involves getting into the thermal boiler suits or coats, muckluk boots, hat, goggles, gloves etc. Everything takes several times longer than usual, so advance planning is really needed.
The weather on Sunday I referred to got pretty bad (well, to Phil and I, but by Antarctic standards it was nothing, apparently). The winds increased and the blow of snow across the whole base really wiped things out. The photos below show the morning sunny weather, and then the evening as we were walking back from the Piggot building – things can change pretty quickly. The temperature with windchill got down to -27 degrees that night! By the morning, it had blown through and we have had unbroken clear blue skies since. Strange.
The temperatures are beginning to drop significantly, it was -16.4 degrees this morning, warming to a positively balmy -9.5 degrees around lunchtime with the effect of the sun! The first sunset of the summer is anticipated on 14th February, then its gets really cold!
So other than getting stuck into the site works, we haven’t been up to much. I’ll post a bit more over the next few days on the lifestyle here and some pics around the base, so until then, bye for now.
Sunny in the morning....
Not so sunny in the evening!
One of the space age looking modules takes shape
The module and the nearly setting sun
Its a long way home.... (in km by the way)
Sunday, 10 February 2008
We're Here !!
WE ARE HERE!!!!
We finally arrived at Creek 4 (one of the main landing possibilities against the sea ice for Halley access) on Friday morning, settling alongside the ice at about 6.30am.
The initial views so close to the ice shelf are absolutely stunning. The distant and intermittent sun revealing different outcrops of ice in shadow and brilliant highlights.
An advance welcome party of 4 skidoos came to assist the Shackleton in tying up. The ships crew sprang into action (after breakfast, naturally) to get the ship secure. This entails dragging out the 4 mooring lines approximately 200m across the ice, drilling deep holes for stakes to be buried in to secure the ropes and covering them back in.
After this was done, we were allowed for the first time onto the ice (escorted of course), a quick whiz round on a ‘happy sledge’ towed behind a skidoo (driven by Base Commander Vicky) for some photo opportunities and then back on board for some lunch before departing for the base.
The trip to the base was by the same happy sledge to the ice shelf and then by Sno-Cat to the base. An ingenious bit of kit resembling an old land rover raised up on high axles with triangular tracks attached, but mighty capable in the conditions.
As we crested the brow of the ice our first distant views of Halley were revealed, after working on the project for so long and listening to so many views of the base and Antarctica, it felt strange to actually be getting here.
On arrival, first we were shown our accommodation, sharing hut number 2 of the annexes to the Drewry building (sharing with 2 other guys from Morrison Construction). Then it was off to the main ‘Laws’ platform for base induction and a tour.
As soon as we had finished a tour of the main platform, finding out where we eat and where the bar is, we had another trip on another ‘Happy Sledge’ towed by Karl Tuplin, the BAS Halley VI Project Manager, giving us a tour of the entire base and the new site.
Then the first really good bit – Skidoo training by the base vehicles manager Martin Bell (who we realised is like a kid in a sweet shop, I guess he loves his job dealing with all the boys toys!). Some quick instruction and a basic driving test and we are qualified, and suitably warned of the dangers of rounding objects, hitting snow tails and crashing, all whilst several amateur camera’s are, no doubt, directly trained on your demise!
And that was it, we were at Halley, we had seen the base, a quick insight into the operations and we joined in with the rest of the team. We had a decent tea, and eventually retired to our new beds, ready for a days work at Halley VI the next morning.
At the sea ice with the Shackleton moored alongside in the background
The Shakletons First Officer, Alan Newham - inspecting the parking job.
The edge of the Brunt Ice Shelf - Stunning
Home for a few weeks - Red Drewry building (left), grey annexes (middle), Orange-ish Laws Platform (right)
We finally arrived at Creek 4 (one of the main landing possibilities against the sea ice for Halley access) on Friday morning, settling alongside the ice at about 6.30am.
The initial views so close to the ice shelf are absolutely stunning. The distant and intermittent sun revealing different outcrops of ice in shadow and brilliant highlights.
An advance welcome party of 4 skidoos came to assist the Shackleton in tying up. The ships crew sprang into action (after breakfast, naturally) to get the ship secure. This entails dragging out the 4 mooring lines approximately 200m across the ice, drilling deep holes for stakes to be buried in to secure the ropes and covering them back in.
After this was done, we were allowed for the first time onto the ice (escorted of course), a quick whiz round on a ‘happy sledge’ towed behind a skidoo (driven by Base Commander Vicky) for some photo opportunities and then back on board for some lunch before departing for the base.
The trip to the base was by the same happy sledge to the ice shelf and then by Sno-Cat to the base. An ingenious bit of kit resembling an old land rover raised up on high axles with triangular tracks attached, but mighty capable in the conditions.
As we crested the brow of the ice our first distant views of Halley were revealed, after working on the project for so long and listening to so many views of the base and Antarctica, it felt strange to actually be getting here.
On arrival, first we were shown our accommodation, sharing hut number 2 of the annexes to the Drewry building (sharing with 2 other guys from Morrison Construction). Then it was off to the main ‘Laws’ platform for base induction and a tour.
As soon as we had finished a tour of the main platform, finding out where we eat and where the bar is, we had another trip on another ‘Happy Sledge’ towed by Karl Tuplin, the BAS Halley VI Project Manager, giving us a tour of the entire base and the new site.
Then the first really good bit – Skidoo training by the base vehicles manager Martin Bell (who we realised is like a kid in a sweet shop, I guess he loves his job dealing with all the boys toys!). Some quick instruction and a basic driving test and we are qualified, and suitably warned of the dangers of rounding objects, hitting snow tails and crashing, all whilst several amateur camera’s are, no doubt, directly trained on your demise!
And that was it, we were at Halley, we had seen the base, a quick insight into the operations and we joined in with the rest of the team. We had a decent tea, and eventually retired to our new beds, ready for a days work at Halley VI the next morning.
At the sea ice with the Shackleton moored alongside in the background
The Shakletons First Officer, Alan Newham - inspecting the parking job.
The edge of the Brunt Ice Shelf - Stunning
Home for a few weeks - Red Drewry building (left), grey annexes (middle), Orange-ish Laws Platform (right)
A Bit of Work
The reason why Phil and I are here, is to look over the construction to date of the new Halley VI station, assist with anything needed and get a plan together for getting things moving for next season (Dec 08 to Mar 09).
The job has moved on well, progress generally looking better than expected. Our offices are based in the ‘Piggot’ building, which depending on conditions is a good 10-15 minutes walk to the sire and a few minutes to the main Halley V base ‘Laws’ Building, another few minutes beyond to our accommodation adjacent the ‘Drewry’ building (we are in the new annex buildings, hut number 2).
Last night there was a glimpse of the sun beginning to get near the horizon, it will be dropping below in a few more day’s time, it has been 24 hours daylight here since December. The setting sun signaling the onset of the winter season.
Today we managed to get one of the temporary wintering tents onto module H1 during a nice sunny morning. After lunch the wind picked up and the snow increased, creating a near whit out situation. It is very strange to not be able to distinguish snow/ice from sky, and to not be able to see a large wind tail of snow immediately in front of you. It is our first taste of the alien things that are Antarctica.
I’ll post some more details in a couple of days.
Me getting some 'Skidoo' training! (Photo courtesy of P Wells Photos Inc.)
The first signs of a nearly setting sun, the Skidoo fleet and the Piggot building behind
The reason why we're here - Halley VI construction (Marketing shots for Merit!)
The walk back to the office, -20 degress with windchill (guess where the sky starts?)
The job has moved on well, progress generally looking better than expected. Our offices are based in the ‘Piggot’ building, which depending on conditions is a good 10-15 minutes walk to the sire and a few minutes to the main Halley V base ‘Laws’ Building, another few minutes beyond to our accommodation adjacent the ‘Drewry’ building (we are in the new annex buildings, hut number 2).
Last night there was a glimpse of the sun beginning to get near the horizon, it will be dropping below in a few more day’s time, it has been 24 hours daylight here since December. The setting sun signaling the onset of the winter season.
Today we managed to get one of the temporary wintering tents onto module H1 during a nice sunny morning. After lunch the wind picked up and the snow increased, creating a near whit out situation. It is very strange to not be able to distinguish snow/ice from sky, and to not be able to see a large wind tail of snow immediately in front of you. It is our first taste of the alien things that are Antarctica.
I’ll post some more details in a couple of days.
Me getting some 'Skidoo' training! (Photo courtesy of P Wells Photos Inc.)
The first signs of a nearly setting sun, the Skidoo fleet and the Piggot building behind
The reason why we're here - Halley VI construction (Marketing shots for Merit!)
The walk back to the office, -20 degress with windchill (guess where the sky starts?)
Thursday, 7 February 2008
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
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
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
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
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.
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
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
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
Tuesday, 5 February 2008
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
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
Monday, 4 February 2008
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!!
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).
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!!)
Friday, 1 February 2008
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:
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:
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
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'
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'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)