Reflections

On Passage from Halley to Signy in the South Orkneys
A windless calm sunny day, the almost frozen water
seems to flow like oil. Known as Grease Ice...

In the Ice Again

We are back down south again in the Weddell Sea once again involved in the annual Halley relief operation.

We departed Immingham in the UK in early November and had a pretty uneventful trip south to Cape Town. The weather in Cape Town was glorious and all on board made the most of it, exploring Table Mountain the beaches wine farms and the Waterfront area. It was over all too soon and once again we headed down south departing on the 13^th December.

We were instantly greeted the Cape Rollers, long period swells that come in from the southwest, a portent of things to come weather-wise. Quite soon there were a few customer’s knuckling the Doctors’ door for the remedial medication. The lumpy weather, although not severe continued pretty much until we passed Bouvet Island and turned directly south. We encountered our first ice at about 58 South. Once in the pack the vessel motion settled down. We were In radio contact with the South African Vessel the SA Agulhas which was headed for Atka Bukta near the German Neumeyer station. They informed us of some of the sticky patches that they had encountered along the way which endeavoured to avoid.

We finally broke through to the shore lead on the 24^th December and cruised quietly along the ice shelf in a Westerly direction heading for Halley. Initially the Satellite picture we were receiving indicated that a huge iceberg may be blocking our way at Stancomb Wills ice tongue which juts substantially from the coast. However as we approached the berg was seen to drift off leaving us a gap to sail through and on to Halley.

On Christmas Day we stopped for few hours in the ice and everybody was afforded theopportunity to go for a stroll on this strange new surface. The Weather was lovely with a dark moody sky in the backgrouand. Some of the lads even took a soccer ball along to kick about. A lone Adele penguin came to greet us and was snapped at like a super-model by voracious paparazzi. We also managed to get everybody together on the ice for a Christmas day team photograph. Thereafter we sat down an excellent traditional Yuletide Feast thoroughly enjoyed by all.

In the afternoon we pulled off the ice and headed for Halley making speed to arrive early on boxing day for the offloading to commence.

We arrived off Halley mid-morning and were greeted by a well laid out and prepared ramp and berthing area. We made our way in through some first year ice which was still clinging to the older more substantial stuff against the shelf. Last year’s mooring posts were still in place and we duly tied up alongside.

A contingent from Halley came down and gave us a briefing on the do’s and don’ts around the ramp and all the safety procedures during offloading. Thereafter cargo work got underway. This year we are not doing round the clock work, just one daily 12 hour shift.

News from the base and new build at HalleyVI was eagerly awaited. It appears as if there are still some problems to sort out at the new base before it be safely commissioned for occupation over the coming winter. We are all hoping that these problems can and will be sorted out. Nothing it appears comes easily down here.

All too soon New Year ’s Eve was upon us and the cargo work almost complete. There was not too much fuss made on board for this. A gathering on the bridge with some mulled wine and ringing out and in of the New Year by the oldest and youngest crew members.

Cargo work was completed on the 2^nd of Jan. In the evening we hosted the “old” Halley team on board for a dinner and some off base entertainment which was much appreciated.

The next morning we departed Creek 3 and having quite a bit of time in hand we headed off to the Emperor Penguin colony at Windy. This was a real treat and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to stretch the legs and walk to the colony and amongst the penguins, always keeping a respectful distance. There were hardly any adult birds about. The chicks are all still completely covered in down in various stages of growth. The call of the chicks, a constant background hum, affirming the presence of life in this cold and desolate place..

After the visit we returned to creek 3 to drop of the Halley team and then finally pointed the northwards to begin our trip to Signy and Stanley.

Northern Mode

The "South" season finally came to an end as we headed north from Stanley. A three week cruise northwards across the tropics. Just what the Doctor ordered after our time in the ice.

We stopped off very briefly at Cape Verde for fuel and then continued north enjoying the tropical weather. all on board were now looking forward to arrival in the Uk and signing off after a long but enjoyable three months on board.

Southern Ramblings has pretty much shut down for the Southern Winter and will pick up once we are headed south again.

In the meantime this July finds us in the Northern climes, Stavanger in Norway to be exact. This is about as far north as Stanley in the FI's is south. Long endless summer days.




We're mobilising to go out into the North sea where we will supply subsea ROV support for the attachment of a new Azimuth pod for a FPSO. This is a change from out normal activities out here, which revolve mostly around tedious inspections on Subsea installations. I am not complaining it pays the bills.




We will be in northern mode until mid October sometime when once again we will dock in Immingham and prepare ourselves for our journey down south. Another season down south awaits.

THE WEDDING

On the morning of Saturday 26th March a very special celebration for our ship was conducted in the Island’s beautifully preserved old Chapel. Julia Forde (Chef) and Tim Patterson (AB) were married in a service given by the ships Captain. The preparations for this had begun two weeks prior as the vessel departed Stanley when we all discovered that Tim had proposed. Cakes and Origami flowers were made. Dresses prepared Speeches and readings practiced. The whole ship and the KEP base got behind the idea of a wonderfully unique wedding.






Nothing disappointed on the day. The KEP Govt Rep Bob Patterson led Julia into the chapel with bagpipes. Captain Harper set a warm, heartfelt and humorous tone. This was followed by several choke backed readings from sources as varied as The Bible, Tom Waits, The Velveteen Rabbit and more. Rob the base commander accompanied our rather rusty singing attempts on the fiddle. The Church bells announcing the the union to some rather startled looking seals and penguins.



Once the ceremony was completed we all gathered outside the chapel for photographs and a toast to the newly wed couple. They were piped down the hill to their waiting Limousine, a pick-up truck, which ferried them back to the ship.

"So if you find someone
Someone to have, someone to hold
Don't trade it for silver
Don't trade it for gold

I have all of life's treasures
And they are fine and they are good
They remind me that houses
Are just made of wood
What makes a house grand
Is not the roof or the doors
If there's love in a house, It's a palace for sure."

The celebrations continued into the afternoon and were capped with a Brazilian style barbecue prepared by Ralph, our chief mate, who is a resident of that country. Huge big swords stuck in the earth with sides of cow skewered thereto and glowing coals all around. Something different and exotic to enjoy and yummy it certainly was.






Later on the wedding cake appeared with figurines handmade by Andy Rutter of the engineering dept. A few more speeches and messages from absent friends were read out. This pretty much concluded a very busy and memorable day for all.

Thanks to all who contributed to making this a special occasion that will be talked about for a long time to come.





































































































The Vessel headed off early the next morning for Bird Island were we back-loaded cargo and personnel in less than ideal conditions. We then departed for Stanley, our last call before heading north to the UK. An amazing season down south comes to an end.

We arrived back in Stanley on Wednesday the 30th in the evening to discharge cargo and disembark Base personnel not coming north with us. The cargo work got underway first thing on Thursday morning and the those not involved scattered in the Falkland winds to go and explore.

The few evenings we had in port were well used in trying out the feeding troughs and watering holes of the Island. There are more of these than the layman may think. This culminated in a spontaneous bash on the ship on Thursday evening that carried on into Friday morning. Music and dancing and even a song along with lyrics supplied to what has now become a Shackleton standard. "The Sloop John B". The messroom was almost empty at breakfast, a clear sign that a good night had been enjoyed by all .

The end of these cruises always evokes a melancholic mixture of emotions, happiness to be going home and sadness at missing new friends and the wonderful places the ship has taken us. It now seems pretty empty and quiet around here.

We are now on our way north to the UK and due to arrive in early May. Hopefully there will be some good warm weather along the way.

Potted Men

Images by Andris Kubulins, Andy Walder and myself