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.