Going to Antarctica

[SidewaysTA]

We are scheduled to rendezvous with another research ship, the Nathaniel B Palmer in 2 days. The Palmer is also an ice breaker and will escort us through the ice field that is between us and our first drill site. Pics of that to come.

I am attempting to upload some video of the rough seas/moon pool. Not having much success so far.

 

[SidewaysTA]

Looks just a tad bit choppy

A couple white caps. NBD

 

[ZX9RCAM]

What's the water temp?

 

[SidewaysTA]

Here is a video of the moon pool geyser



And this is a video produced by a videographer we have on board discussing this expedition.

 

[robertc1024]

This is great stuff - keep it coming.

 

[Dawico]

All that boat and water and not one picture of any fish.

I would be trolling off the back of that sucker.

 

[SidewaysTA]

Captain forbade fishing unfortunately. It might still go on but no evidence of it. Every now and then fresh fish will appear on the menu mysteriously.

Like the one time a sword fish committed suicide by running into the side of the ship. Swordfish is quite tasty...

 

[SidewaysTA]

ICEBERG RIGHT AHEAD!!!!

We are starting to see bergs. These are some big chunks of ice though I'm not sure they will come across in the pictures. The only time they actually pose a threat to us is when we have pipe downhole and can't easily move.

We just had an announcement that we are currently crossing the Antarctic circle so that's a milestone I suppose.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Very cool.
What is the water temp?

 

[SidewaysTA]

 

[AustinN4]

This is a great thread! Thanks for posting.

 

[SidewaysTA]

Very cool.
What is the water temp?

Currently 30°F

 

[Davetex]

Wow, fantastic pictures!!

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Currently 30°F

So, no swimming, huh?

 

[TxStetson]

So, no swimming, huh?

Not for more than 90 seconds.

 

[Davetex]

 

[Shotgun Jeremy]

The weather has been a bit rough slowing down our progress. We are sailing at a snails pace (7 knots) if snails could sail. It probably doesn't help that we have a 200+ foot sail amidship. Not good for folks who get motion sickness.

View attachment 128745

Waves spray over the bow.

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Geysers coming up through the moon pool

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Precisely why when the Navy recruiter came talking to me, I told her only if she could get me a job not on a ship. That ship is right out there in the middle of Nopeistan.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

 

[TxStetson]

Precisely why when the Navy recruiter came talking to me, I told her only if she could get me a job not on a ship. That ship is right out there in the middle of Nopeistan.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

But rough seas rock you right to sleep on a ship. I always slept better in rough weather.

 

[Southpaw]

Wow, fantastic pictures!!

X10

 

[SidewaysTA]

Bergy Bits, Growlers, Penguins and the Palmer

We met up with the Palmer and they are escorting us to and through the ice field. We should reach the north edge of the ice field in about 6 hours and it will take another 12 hours to reach the south edge.

Meanwhile we are seeing lots of ice, small bergs, growlers and a new ice berg type I just learned, bergy bits. Growlers are ice bergs less than 1 meter wide. Bergy bits are bergs 1-4 meters wide and then there are even more names for larger bergs of various sizes.

We are seeing wildlife out here now. We caught a few penguins "chillin'" on a berg. Not sure what type they are, one person thought they might be Adelie penguins. We also spotted some whales way out in the distance. Couldn't tell what type but you can see them and their spouts.

Oh and this time of year down here, it's 24 hours of daylight. The darkest it actually gets is kinda dusky/dawny.