On the Continent!

It seems like ages since i've updated the blog but hopefully now we are settling in to the Halley way of life, it will be easier to update. I thought things were slow and awkward with the computers on the ship, but believe me that was luxury compared to Halley ( about 6 computers between about 70 of us).

There's been a lot to take in since we arrived last Saturday so i'll have to bring things up to speed over the next few nights.

Halley is the name of the British Antarctic Survey research station on the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica. There have been 5 over the years in varying forms ( will post some pics when i get chance of the previous bases) with the fifth coming to the end of its life recently. Halley VI is a totally new design concept ( or at least it was 6 years ago when the project started) and I am privileged to be part of something so unique, challenging and amazingly remote!!

We eventually reached the Brunt Ice shelf on Saturday morning (25th December) at about 08.30. There are a number of options as to where the ship can dock alongside the sea ice creeks but unfortunately due to the harsh nature of the weather and environment mooring the ship to enable the safe unloading of the immense amount of cargo was going to prove challenging.

A few days prior to our arrival a team from Halley had prepared the creek with marker flags, tested the stability and suitability of the sea ice and carved and groomed a ramp up through the Ice shelf. The preceeding weather had caused quite a bit of erosion to the upper levels of the sea ice leaving a large ice foot (or underhang) beneath the surface that the Shackleton was unable to break off despite numerous attempts. How bizarre to be standing on deck as the ship crunched head long into, and glided gracefully up on to the thick slab of ice. Only then to slide back to the waters in defeat.

The captain eventually decided that he would moor at this location as the remaining creeks were pretty much the same. This meant that there was quite a gap for the ship to safe ground ( hey too easy to forget you're on ice!!!) we were joined on board by Matt the Halley Base Commander in readiness to land on Antarctica and journey on to Halley.

sorry but its getting late and i've got quite a bit to catch up on, more to come tomorrow........

Update

Just thought I would let everyone know that we might not hear from Neil for a few days. I spoke to him yesterday evening and he confirmed that they had arrived at the landing bay that had been prepared for the ship. Unfortunately the weather over the last few days had caused ice to build up around the landing bay which made it impossible to moor. This bay is 12km over the ice to get to Halley and if they couldn't moor there the other option they had was a landing bay which is 50km from Halley, so not ideal. They were eagar to moor and unload as the materials that are on the ship are desperately needed at Halley. Anyway when they do finally moor there will be a few heavy days of work to unload the ship and to get settled in their accomodation. Communication is poor at Halley as they only have 3 computers to share between everyone and for some reason he will not be able to use his laptop whilst he is there. This means that opportunities to update the blog may be few and far between. 

Amanda