Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

demonstrate it. It records the ice cover on film four times a day, and is powered by
solar panels that recharge two large batteries. It runs for a year without attention,
and had been running for five years now without any problems. Then up to Point
121 and Point 93. We had lovely views of Paal Harbour and out to sea, returning via
the snow chute near Factory Bluffs. I was quite tired because the snow was very
deep in places and my knees/legs were failing, but enjoyed it all though, glissading
in places. The sun gradually hazed over. We chatted with people on base, said
farewells to the shore party, walked out to the ship and were hoisted aboard.
We departed, weather still lovely, no wind all day and the colours of ice and sky
perfect – and reflected in the ice pools. We saw two leopards, and some ten
crabeaters, one with a pup – the same as yesterday? Initially it was easy going, then
we met some big ice, and then a large area of open water. Jerry showed me on the
GPS computer plot how he was able to track our incoming course in reverse, to avoid
heavy ice. The sea to south and east was packed with icebergs of all shapes and
sizes, creating their own cold misty climate. And when the open water came to an
end we plunged into the pack ice, threading our way through a maze of bergs.
The night was spent hove-to in the pack and we started again at 4 o’clock. When
I went up to the bridge a few hours later we were still in the pack, but, with water
sky ahead, moving steadily towards open water. By 8 o’clock we were in open
water, very calm heading towards Burdwood Bank and the squid fishing “box” we
were to sample. Sevy showed me around his empire, an array of electronic
equipment, modems etc. He demonstrated the device he had made to download the
data from the albatross loggers - two types, depending on the battery size, weighing
9-12 g. The box, about 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.0 inches is clipped onto the two gold pins on the
logger, itself about 3.5 x 3.5 x 0.25 inches, and interrogates the user on the modem
screen, simple yes/no, finally quickly coming up with the data on the screen.
I was going to do a load of laundry, but both machines were in use. Eventually I
managed to get through them. The open water and calm sea continued through the
day, with occasional bergs. Saw Antarctic petrels usual other birds, but not
abundant. At 4 o’clock there was an emergency drill – man overboard. The
inflatable was launched and approached a life jacket simulating a man overboard.
Two whales now appeared – probably false killers (or ? killers, but no positive i.d.).
We watched a film on the dangers of falling overboard, and the steps to take in such
an emergency. The usual good dinner, then a long conversation with Jerry over
glasses of port, joined by Pippa. I retired at 9.45 pm, and to bed at 10.30 pm.
Another day of calm sea and sunshine followed, the air much warmer. After
breakfast we lower the CTD in a test run of the cable and electronics. I watched from
the after winch control room. Then on deck to see the two conical ‘bongo’ nets
deployed and towed at 50m depth, speed 3 knots for half an hour. The catch was
disappointing - some crustacea etc. Later we had a fire drill – to muster stations and
were shown a film about an inquiry into a fire at sea, flashbacks to the ship and
people’s actions and mistakes. A boat drill followed and we gathered at muster
stations and boarded the lifeboats. It was all very efficient as I would expect. So the
morning passed. (Noon position: 56° 44.8’S, 54° 34.8’W).
We continued through a light swell in smooth seas, with few birds about. I sent
other e-mails and hoped they would get through OK. Pippa asked me to write a
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