Working in Antarctica

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By Emma Burt Year 9 Caracals


I’m based on Sky Blu in Antarctica. I’m part of the Marine Personnel team. I’m a logistics officer and my job is to make sure we have supplies and personnel for the forward logistics facility Antarctica. This is one of the stations in Antarctica. We need ships to bring all the supplies and personnel that we need. We have to store all our supplies in between ships arriving as there are no shops. We have to plan ships arriving at times when the weather will not be too extreme but its very important that we never run out of the essential food and heating oil. We are stationed on the most hostile continent on the other side of the world. The team are made up of people who work in finance, personnel, purchasing and shipping, and operations. We manage the supply of people and goods to Antarctica and back, as well as the general operational management of the organisation.


Travelling to Antarctic involves long journeys on ships as there are no airports close to Sky Blu. Living in a remote place like Antarctica needs careful planning specialist equipment. Reliable over snow vehicles have replaced the husky teams, ski-equipped and fixed-wheel aircraft provide transport for staff to some Stations and for field scientists venturing further into the continent, and modern ice-strengthened ships, with navigational aids and scientific laboratories, provide access to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.


Most construction work has to be done in the summer months. Most of fieldwork is also normally done in the summer months as its warmer and has longer days. With advances in nutrition and in clothing design and fabrics, field staff are well equipped to face the harsh environment. However blizzards are common and limits what can be done however modern the technology used is. Recreational activities may include photography, carpentry, badminton, football and skiing. All these involve a risk to the health and safety of staff so staff need to be careful with anything they are doing in such an extreme climate.


To survive in Antarctica the most important thing is shelter and heating. The station has large well insulated accommodation blocks. These are heated by oil which needs to be stored and topped up by ships each time they arrive. Electricity for lighting is generated from either the oil fired generator or from solar PV panels. There are no natural food sources other than some fish or seal so all food supplies need to be brought to the station by the supply ships. Arctic clothing is very important as temperatures drop very quickly. The average temperature in Antarctica is -50oC. You need hat, gloves, goggles, ski boots, thermal clothing and wind and weather proof ski clothes. Research crews often have GPS tracking devices so they can be found in emergency situations. As well as flairs for avalanches and a survival blanket and tents.


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