26-Feb Back Through The Pack Ice Barrier
We are on our way again out from the clear patch of the Ross Sea that we have been working in for the past few weeks, between the shoreline and pack ice, back out through the 120 mile wide ice barrier that is separating us from the safe sea. The satellite ice images show that the pack ice surrounding us is building up from the North is thickening very fast now and closing in on this area. The latest satellite photograph shows narrow gaps between the already freezing sea, which we are trying to aim for and zigzag our escape through. The sound of the ship graunching through this ice is amazing; especially the lower down and more fwd in the ship you go. The Scientists who have cabins down there say the noise is amazing and does not help when trying to sleep through it. The bow just ploughs on through, pushing huge ice islands out of the way, if it can’t break through them, sliding one layer under the next one alongside it.
There is a big ridge in the middle of the ice pack, which we might hit later tonight, which is ultra thick; built up by the wind and sea conditions, and hopefully we can do it. Occasionally there is a huge thump and shudder. That’s when we hit the mini icebergs called ‘growlers’.
There is a storm blowing outside of around 40 knots but because of the huge expanse of ice, the storm can’t create any waves. The ship thus just lists over with the wind and ploughs steadily on through. Funny sensation really. I made a copy of the latest weather forecast
We are on our way again out from the clear patch of the Ross Sea that we have been working in for the past few weeks, between the shoreline and pack ice, back out through the 120 mile wide ice barrier that is separating us from the safe sea. The satellite ice images show that the pack ice surrounding us is building up from the North is thickening very fast now and closing in on this area. The latest satellite photograph shows narrow gaps between the already freezing sea, which we are trying to aim for and zigzag our escape through. The sound of the ship graunching through this ice is amazing; especially the lower down and more fwd in the ship you go. The Scientists who have cabins down there say the noise is amazing and does not help when trying to sleep through it. The bow just ploughs on through, pushing huge ice islands out of the way, if it can’t break through them, sliding one layer under the next one alongside it.
There is a big ridge in the middle of the ice pack, which we might hit later tonight, which is ultra thick; built up by the wind and sea conditions, and hopefully we can do it. Occasionally there is a huge thump and shudder. That’s when we hit the mini icebergs called ‘growlers’.
There is a storm blowing outside of around 40 knots but because of the huge expanse of ice, the storm can’t create any waves. The ship thus just lists over with the wind and ploughs steadily on through. Funny sensation really. I made a copy of the latest weather forecast
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