V9 Antarctic Peninsula_Voyage_Log

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Fire in the Antarctic Gregers Gjersøe, Snowshoe Master & Expedition Guide Fire is one of the greatest threats in Antarctica thanks to the region’s very dry climate, frequent strong winds, and nearly complete lack of liquid freshwater. Due to the continent’s isolation with and little possibility of rescue for weeks or months, a fire in the Antarctic is a potentially very disastrous event. Although it is covered in snow and ice, the cold temperatures of Antarctica make the White Continent very dry. As it is one of the windiest places on Earth, there is almost always a strong wind blowing much of the time, more than strong enough to fan any flames. As the temperatures across the whole continent of Antarctica is averaging below freezing, there is unlikely to be very much liquid water to fight fires. So, the response to fire is usually to make sure everyone is out of danger and safe and then stand back and watch it burn itself out. Bases in Antarctica are often designed to survive fires because they are made up of a number of separate buildings, each with a significant distance between them. Many bases have emergency supplies stored in a hut near the base but well away. In these huts, there are often enough supplies and ample shelter for the base’s crew to be able to survive a fire or emergency until help can arrive. The Argentine Antarctic base and scientific research station, “Brown Station,” is named after Admiral William Brown, the father of the Argentine Navy. 25 Located on the Sanaviron Peninsula along Paradise Harbour’s Danco Coast, from 1951 to 1984 it served as a permanent research base, though, since then, it is open only during the summer season. During its heyday, the station was home to one of the most complete biology laboratories on the Antarctic Peninsula, featuring a main house, as well as an additional building exclusively for scientific research. This building was equipped with three labs, a photography workshop, an emergency radio station, an office and a library. Unfortunately, Brown Station’s original facilities were burned down by the station’s doctor on 12 April 1984 after he was ordered to stay on for yet another winter, despite the original terms of his contract and his desire to see his fiancé once again. As you can imagine, the stress of Antarctica’s harsh winter conditions can take its toll on residents and explorers of the region, driving them to take extreme measures to get back home. The doctor simply couldn’t bear to stay on for another winter and he couldn’t stand the isolation as the days drew darker. His solution? To force an evacuation of himself and his colleagues in the only way plausible manner: by burning the station down. After the fire, the station’s personnel were rescued by the USS Hero and taken to United States’ Palmer Station. Argentina later rebuilt the base, but it is now only occupied during the summer months. The station’s doctor was sent to prison for arson and his fiancé decided to call off the engagement. 5 JAN 2020 – 14 JAN 2020 Volume 2, Issue 9
Towards the Horn 13 January 2020– Drake Passage Day 2 Written by Steve Egan 26 Continuing our incredibly smooth run across the Drake Passage towards Argentina, we woke to clearing drizzle on calm seas & enjoyed a sure-footed & relaxed breakfast served up by our super Restaurant Team. Normally a feared stretch of open water regularly serving up forbidding swells & stiff winds as we cross swords with the mightiest current in the world, the Circumpolar Current that swishes around Antarctica, we steamed North with hardly a hint of its alter ego discernable. Jamie invited us into the lounge to give us a brief update on our disembarkation procedure for our morning in Ushuaia tomorrow, a reminder to enjoy the day here together as much as possible before inevitably saying our goodbyes some hours hence. Our Kayak Team then took the stage to personally thank the many participants on this voyage who chose to add a quiet paddle-power optional excursion to their expedition & enjoyed a different & peaceful perspective of the ice & wildlife. Upstairs in the Bistro Yogamanda led a fun & stretchy beginners class in simple Yoga techniques for those wanting to unwind from the many adventures we shared in Antarctica. A scrumptious lunch led into a vibrant showing of the classic film ‘Around Cape Horn’, a personal retelling of the good ol’ days of sailing rigs around the feared Cape Horn, in black & white & narrated by the film maker. Exhilarating & fascinating! Perfectly timed, Ocean Atlantic slipped stealthily into view of the fabled legend itself – Cape Horn – the southern-most tip of the Americas. We then filed in to see our Ship’s photographer Renato take us for a photographic walk down memory lane with the end of voyage slideshow & this followed into a very entertaining & fun Charity Auction where all manner of things were up for grabs including Shelli’s great wildlife depictions adorning our Captains chart of the Expedition & even dinner with Expediton Team members on offer to raise funds for worthy causes. We soon found ourselves with Champagne in hand toasting with the Captin to a most wonderful shared adventure to the most dreamed of destination on Earth. Mother nature had smiled upon us, we thoroughly enjoyed the comradery of good companions for the journey and we really did see the best that Antarctica had to offer. What an amazing trip! 5 JAN 2020 – 14 JAN 2020 Volume 2, Issue 9
Page 1 and 2: 5 JAN 2020 - 14 JAN 2020 Albatros M
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS The Voyage Meet t
Page 5 and 6: Meet the Team 4 Phil Hunter Assista
Page 7 and 8: The Seven Sisters of Szczecin David
Page 9 and 10: Rolling Our Way South 6 January 202
Page 11 and 12: Approaching the ice 7 January 2020
Page 13 and 14: Drake Passage 5 JAN 2020 - 14 JAN 2
Page 15 and 16: Chasing Icebergs, Finding Penguins
Page 17 and 18: The White Continent 9 January 2020
Page 19 and 20: © Renato Granieri 5 JAN 2020 - 14
Page 21 and 22: Deception Island 11 January 2020- B
Page 23 and 24: A Brief History of the Zodiac Steve
Page 25: Northward Bound 12 January 2020- Dr
Page 29 and 30: King of the Southern Winds Sandra O
Page 31 and 32: By the Numbers… 30 Voyage Statist

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