Australians at McMurdo

Last week, McMurdo was visited by two groups of
Australians from the Australian Antarctic Division
(AAD) on their way to Casey Station. The AAD and
the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) has an
agreement in place where the AAD flies USAP personnel
from Christchurch to McMurdo via their A319 Airbus.
USAP then reciprocates by flying AAD personnel to
Casey via our LC-130s. This set up has been in place
for a couple of years now and it seems it is a win/win
situation for both parties. It was fun for us to see
all of the yellow-coated Australians enjoying themselves
at McMurdo. One of the two 26 person groups was delayed
for a couple of days due to bad weather here. It was
fun to imagine if we would be stranded at Casey for a
couple of days and were able to explore the area there.
Before he left, our friend Simon gave me a couple of
the 100 year commemorative patches for the AAD (pictured
above). Lynn and I have a special place in our hearts
for the AAD since we were able to receive a really nice
tour there last year during our visit to Hobart. I hope
the folks that were here felt just as welcome as we did.

Back On The Ice

I landed today at McMurdo, marking my 12th season
on the Ice. It was really one of the easiest, most
uneventful trips I think I've ever had down here.
We did have a one day delay in Christchurch due to
the weather in McMurdo, but overall the whole trip
was pretty seamless. After two days of orientation
in Denver, we hopped on a relatively short flight to
Los Angeles and a six hour layover. Then a 13 hour
flight to Auckland, where I enjoyed some really good
airport sushi and then down to Christchurch. I'll
post some more photos of the damage in Christchurch
soon, but to sum it up in one word, that would be
"devastating". Having that extra day in Christchurch
meant that I was able to visit some of my favorite
places in Christchurch and then came the flight down
to the Ice. I was fortunate enough to fly again on
the Skytraders Airbus that is making trips courtesy
of USAP's agreement with the Australian Antarctic
Division. I sat in the exact same seat as my trip
down last year and got some fantastic photos of Mt.
Erebus and Ross Island on the approach to the brand
new Ice Runway. It was great to be reunited with Lynn
after six weeks and we settled into our cozy temporary
dorm room. We'll be making our permanent move in about
two weeks when our winter-over friend departs our
summer room. Until then...back to work!

Ten Years of Luggage Tags

I'm leaving in a couple of hours to start my journey to Antarctica.
it will be my 12th season overall and I'm looking forward to seeing Lynn,
old friends and getting to work.

Ten years ago, October 5th, we made it to the Ice for the first time It seems
like so long ago, yet it also seems to have gone by so quickly. Every year,
The United States Antarctic Program asks that each person place a luggage
tag on their bags that is provided by the program. We've kept at least one
of them from each year we've headed south. These luggage tags have
a lot of miles on them!

Houston, We Have An Icebreaker!

Many folks that read this blog are Ice Folks, or at least interested in
Antarctica, so they were aware that the United States Antarctic Program
was in danger this year of not having a fully running operation. Why?
Because there wasn't a world class icebreaker available to break open
the channel of McMurdo Sound. This has to be done so that the fuel
vessel and supply vessel can reach McMurdo to deliver their payloads.
Without them, the program as a whole would be handicapped. This
would also affect New Zealand's Scott Base and the Amundsen-Scott
South Pole Station, which also receive supplies and fuel because of
these vessels.

Years ago, the USAP depended on the Polar Star and Polar Sea U.S. Coast
Guard icebreakers to do the job. However, the Polar Sea is being
decommissioned and the Polar Star is being retrofitted and is not
available for a few more years. The past few years, the Swedish vessel,
The Oden, did the job nicely. However, it's been called back to the
Baltic Sea by the Government of Sweden and isn't available either. This
left the USAP without an icebreaker.

Today, it was announced that the Russian icebreaker, "Vladimir Ignatyuk"
has been contracted and will be performing the task. Most folks with the
program are very relieved. Everyone that was supposed to have a job,
will have a job. All the science projects that were supposed to be held,
will continue and overall a big sigh of relief was had by all.


Here is information about the icebreaker from the Murmansk Shipping
Company, which owns and operates it:

Diesel Icebreaker "Vladimir Ignatyuk"

SHIP DETAILS:
Ship Name VLADIMIR IGNATYUK
Built JUL 1983
VICTORIA YARD, BURRARD YARRROWS CORPORATION, CANADA
IMO No. 8127804
Ship Type MULTIFUNCTIONAL ICEBREAKER-TOW
Flag RUSSIAN
Port of Registry MURMANSK
Class KMICEBREAKER7 [1]
Classification Society RUSSIAN MARITIME REGISTER OF SHIPPING
Ice class ICEBREAKER7 (at d < 7.7) Features ANCHOR HANDLING STANDBY-VESSEL FIRELIGHTING CAPACITY HELIDECK - BELL 214 DESIGN HELICOPTER BERTH TOTAL 34 TONNAGE / DIMENSIONS DWT 2 076 Length (OA) 88 GT (Gross Tonnage) 4 391 Length (BP) 75 NT (Net Tonnage) 1 317 Breadth extreme 17.82 DISPLACEMENT 7 077 Depth moulded 10 Draft 8.3

MACHINERY
MAIN ENGINE (4) Stork Werkspoor Diesel. 5600 hp each
RPM 600
PROPULSION POWER 23,200 hp
AUXILLARY DIESELS 2 x 750 KWT each
THRUSTERS BOW/AFT Abt 1100 KWT/CPP 500 HP
FRESH WATER MAKERS 15 tones/day
PROPELLERS 2 C.P.P 4 blades
BOLLARD PULL Over 200 tones
AUX POWER 2 shaft generators. 1000kw each
2-750 kw diesel generators

CAPACITIES
AT DECK DIMENSIONS 37m x 13m
DECK CARGO CAPACITY 800 tones
BULK BARITE/CEMENT CAPACITY 34 m3 x 3 = 102 m3
MARINE GAS OIL, DMA (90%) 1760 m3
BALLAST WATER 1432 m3
DRILL WATER 194 m3
PORTABLE FRESH WATER 41 m3
LUBOILS TANKS 48 m3

DECK EQUIPMENT
TUGGER/WINCH 2 x 10 tones pull
CAPSTAN 2 x 12.5 tones pull
TOWING AND WORK WINCHES Complete Van der Gessen Electric winch package. Tow winch has a no­mi­nal bra­ke holding ca­pa­ci­ty of 450 ton­nes and is equip­ped with fric­ti­on rol­ler­set. Tow wire is 77mm diame­ter and is 1500m long. Doub­le an­chor handl­ing winch can ge­ne­ra­te 200 ton­nes line pull (all stall). Unit has a wa­ter cooled high speed bra­ke.
DECK CRANES 2 x 5 tones SWL Hagglund (can be rigges for limited 10 tones lifts)

LIFE-SAVING
LIFE BOAT Enclosed Watercraft Model 7.8 m
RESCUE BOAT Rigid Bottom Inflatable Lucas Model 700 D

CONTACTS
If you need more information, please, Contact Chartering / Operations Department.
Tel.: +7 (815 2) 48-10-78
Fax: +7 (815 2) 48-10-65

SCHEME

The Pee Test

It has begun. The annual poking and prodding of the
process to go down to the Ice. A couple of days ago we
went to a place appropriately called, Wiz-Quiz to give a
sample of our urine to show that we weren't on any
illegal drugs. Now, over the next few weeks Dental,
Medical and all fun stuff associated with those visits
will incur. Can't wait til it's over! On the bright side,
we get a complete physical paid for by the Antarctic
Program every year. A perk, I suppose.

Back in The World

The highlight of my first day back in the real world was visiting
my friend Leighton at his house for an ATO cookout and get
together. Leighton is the manager of the Christchurch Travel
Office for the US Antarctic Program. He and his wife have a
wonderful house a few miles north of downtown in Northlands
and there was certainly a good crowd. Lots of folks from both
the Ice and from the office in Christchurch. Leighton and his
wife of course were very gracious hosts and served up great
food and beverages.


One of the entrees though I can definitely live without in the
future was Whitebait. Yes, I tried it and yes, the Kiwis love it.
However...I did not. It's funny that it has to be covered up in
kind of a hash brown-type substance to even make it close to
palatable. Picture udon noodles with eyes. That's what it looks
like...and actually tastes a bit like as well. Ugh.


Before I left, Leighton was proud to show us his garage. I have to
say, this is the only garage I've ever seen that is carpeted. Yes,
carpeted! Someone asked what he would do if his car leaked oil
and he exclaimed that Chevrolets never leak oil. Hmm...they must
have different Chevys in New Zealand than they do in the States!

The Australians Are Here!

One of my favorite things about working in Air Services,
and with the US Antarctic Program in general, is meeting
people from all over the world. Today, a Airbus operated
by Skytraders landed at the Ice Runway and deposited 50
Australians. Kiwis from New Zealand we see. Aussies from
Australia, we don't. All of their stations are far to the west
of us and we definitely don't share the same airspace.
This group are hitching several rides on our LC-130s
from the Ice Runway to the skiway at Casey Station.


I know this sounds weird, but it was interesting to see all
of their bags labeled "Casey" and "Wilkins". Unlike the US
program, each of the Australian stations have different
colored bag and cargo tags, representing each station.
Of course, I was always interested in Airline luggage tags
before they became bar code-ized and seeing exotic
three letter codes for the cities was the rule and not the
exception.


We're used to seeing the Americans in their Red parkas
and the Kiwis in their Black and Orange parkas, but it
was refreshing to see so many folks in Yellow parkas
running around town. Although it definitely contributes
to a very crowded station. We have 1010 people on
station right now with more to come tomorrow. If we
don't get some flights out to Pole soon, we'll all be
sharing beds!

Back In NZ

On Thursday, I finally left my ninth season on the
Ice behind. I definitely can't say that I was sad to
go, but I left a few good friends behind and I wish
them a good Winterover. The nicest part of leaving,
(other than anticipating seeing Lynn after a absence
of three months of course) was the chance to ride
in the Airbus. It was leased by USAP from the
Australian Antarctic Programme and was definitely
a unique experience. I had a "reserved" seat because
I work in ATO so I got to sit in business class. what
a nice perk and really comfortable. This was the
first time I'd flown in anything either to or from the
Ice in a plane besides a military transport. I even got
an excellent view of Ross Island from the window. It
was also interesting to have a flight with actual Flight
Attendants and how they transformed from their cold
weather gear into...well...Flight Attendants, with
a snack and beverage cart! A great flight overall and
we were back in Christchurch by 6:30pm and home
by 8:00pm. It's great to be back with Lynn in NZ!

Flight of the Bumblebee

The flight workhorse of the US Antarctic Program
has always been the LC-130 Hercules. This year,
the program is experimenting with a new kind of
Herc...The Bumblebee. It's just like every other
Herc, except it's propellers have eight blades
instead of the standard four. It's being tested
for it's viability in a number of conditions around
the world, including the polar conditions here.


The main reason that the Air Force is experimenting is
to see if they can increase the take-off performance of
the plane. It should provide more thrust at lower air
speeds. Since a large focus of the USAP is now headed
toward scientific study at remote field camps, they need
a plane that can take off and land in a relatively limited
space without an extra long runway. It could also increase
fuel efficiency by five percent and decrease maintenance
time.


Over the last few weeks, a few missions have taken off
and flown around the immediate area of Ross Island...
taking off from Williams Field and landing at Pegasus
Field and vice versa. Tomorrow's flight offers much
of the same. If the tests are successful, someday all
of our Hercs may be eight bladed.

The Job Walk

This week, "fourteen Bid Team members representing eight
companies that are bidding on the upcoming USAP support
contract will arrive on station. They will visit the South
Pole, McMurdo Station, Black Island, Williams Field and LDB...
Virtually every building in McMurdo will be visited by the
bidders and their NSF escorts". The following companies will
be represented:

Fluor
ITT Antarctic Services
Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR)
Day & Zimmermann Group
CH2M Hill
Raytheon
Lockheed Martin
CSC

AREV Shortcuts

These little doo-hickies will be a familiar nightmare
to anyone that has worked in the US Antarctic Program.
All are DOS based, all are highly outdated and all are
very confusing. Yet we use these programs year after
year, and honestly, the whole Antarctic program would
probably crash and burn without them. Part of the most
recent contract negotiations included replacing AREV.
This never happened and I'm sure this will be brought
up again when the new contract is rewarded next year.

Bring Your Own

We've been informed that starting at WINFLY this
season, the US Antarctic Program will no longer
be issuing the following gear to us:

Extra Socks - Only 2 pair will be issued
Extra Lightweight Underwear
Water Bottle
Sunglasses

All of this is in an effort to cut costs. For one,
I think this is a good idea. I don't work outside
so I don't need the 10 pairs of socks that I would
normally be issued and I only take one pair of long
underwear with me anyway. I take the water bottle
and sunglasses but the last time I used the issued
bottle, I filled it with laundry detergent, and I'm
a bit of a sunglass snob, so I wear my own. What
I do worry about though are brand new folks coming
down for the first time. Most don't have a clue about
what gear they'll need (I remember how I wore my
sunglasses all the time during my first week on the
Ice because I had heard about the ozone hole and thought
it would wreck my vision...old age is doing that on
it's own). I guess it will be a wait and see but
since I don't have to take ten pairs of socks anymore,
I can fill one of my orange bags with something more
useful...like freshies or cheese!

Left Holding the Bag

Of course this photo is a joke...

When have you seen a plane this empty lately???

Today I read an article >here< that American Airlines
is now going to be charging for each piece of luggage
brought onto a plane, beginning with $15.00 for the
first bag.

"AA says its elite frequent-flier members and those who
purchase premium tickets (first, business or full-fare
economy fares) will not have to pay the fees. The fees
apply only to flights within the USA and Canada".

"Additionally, AA says it also "has increased its fees
for certain other services, ranging from reservation
service fees to pet and over-sized bag fees. The
increases mostly range from $5 to $50 per service.
The company estimates that new and increased fees
announced this month will generate several hundred
million dollars in incremental annual revenue."

What's next?!?! I'm guessing that carry-on items will
be charged and soon each person will be charge based
on their height or weight as they arrive on the plane.
To save weight, we may be asked to strip down to nothing
before boarding the plane. Sound ridiculous you say?
Maybe...but charging for items that once seemed
untouchable a few years ago, such as a checked-in bag
would have sounded crazy a few years ago.

I've been told that this won't affect international
flights and all connecting flights to an international
flight would be included in the no-charge clause.
However, the recent trend within RPSC employees of holding
orientation in Denver for Summer and Winter folks coming
south will cause two separate flight segments...just to
get to LAX for the flight to New Zealand. Is Uncle Ray
going to eat this cost of paying an additional fee to get
our bags to Denver? Hardly. I believe we have seen the
last of the Denver orientation sessions and will be going
back to holding these sessions in Christchurch, which in
my opinion were a bit of a cluster. Either way, it will
be another huge expense and it bodes poorly for the USAP.

Where's The Gun?

For years, it's been a well-known fact that there are no
guns allowed on territory managed by the US Antarctic Program.
However, there is a persistent rumor that's been alive for
years that actually there is one gun and it's held by the
NSF Station Manager. The NSF Station Manager is deputized as
a US Marshall, and if there actually was a gun, it would be
their job to control it. I've worked under three different
NSF Station Managers in the Winter and all have said the
same thing...there is no gun. However, the rumors still
persist and one rumor is that there actually is a gun, but
it's held at Marble Point. Another rumor states that the
gun is at McMurdo, but the bullets are at Marble Point. Bill
told us the other day there there actually is no gun, but
only bullets and he needs to hit them on the ends with a hammer
to make them fire. He was kidding of course. However, Bill
went out to Marble Point this weekend via helicopter during
a tour of the Dry Valleys to see how this year's Extended
Season science was progressing. Was that really the reason he
went to the Dry Valleys and Marble Point??? If we see him
carrying a hammer around during the next few days, I think
we'll have our answer!

This story isn't anything but for fun...It shouldn't be taken
seriously by Art Bell or any other conspiracy theorist.