Unloading Is Always an Adventure!
Each season, a ship laden with building materials and supplies departs from Belgium, and makes the long voyage to the coast of Antarctica, 200km away from Princess Elisabeth polar research station. With little time to waste, Alain Hubert and the and International Polar Foundation get right down to operations once they arrived at the coast, successully unloading the ship's cargo directly onto the ice shelf - a different location than originally foreseen due to difficult ice conditions.
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The Mary Arctica alongside the ice-shelf. Those cranes were very handy to get equipment on the ice-shelf!
© International Polar Foundation
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Unloading onto the ice shelf - a surreal view of the hybrid excavator donated by Komatsu - the first one to reach the southernmost continent, where it will be put to work at Princess Elisabeth Antarctica.
© International Polar Foundation
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Alain and Gigi drove more than 300 km to find a way to the ship and secured crevasses during a complete whiteout.
© International Polar Foundation
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During a traverse across the Antarctic ice sheet we usually sleep for a few hours in these tents, which we call it home for a few weeks.
© International Polar Foundation
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The convoy followed us at a distance. We gave them regular updates on the situation via iridium satellite phone.
© International Polar Foundation
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A nice view of the 14 metre-high ice shelf at the unloading site on the coast of Antarctica.
© International Polar Foundation
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On the other side, the ice wall is not secure enough for an approach by ship.
© International Polar Foundation
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Finally, we arrive to meet the Mary Arctica after 36 hours of travel. From a distance, we could only make out the two cranes rising above the ice shelf.
© International Polar Foundation
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After 14 hours, we finally reached the ship at a place on the coast called Dog's Head. The sun managed to peek through the altostratus clouds for a few minutes.
© International Polar Foundation
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Another view of the ship, but from the top of the ice shelf. From here, unloading is easier to manage compared to unloading on the sea ice.
© International Polar Foundation
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An impressive view of the Mary Arctica looking tiny compared to the cliff at the edge of the ice shelf.
© International Polar Foundation
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The first cargo being unloaded onto the ice shelf. It's much more convenient than unloading onto sea ice, which has the risk of breaking at any time.
© International Polar Foundation
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Containers are stored on our Lehman sledges, which will transport them to the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica station.
© International Polar Foundation
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Every season, we get two food containers: one freezer at -25°C, and one fridge. We have to install the clip generator in order to maintain a constant temperature
© International Polar Foundation
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It's a privilege for us to take charge of such an state of the art machine! We can't believe will be using it in such an extreme environment.
© International Polar Foundation
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A family of killer whales out for a swim, near the unloading site.
© International Polar Foundation
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The Mary Arctica has two 54 ton cranes that can unload cargo onto an ice shelf as high as 20 metres!
© International Polar Foundation
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A waste container being loaded onto the vessel, destined for South Africa, where it will be discharged.
© International Polar Foundation
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The two cranes seem to dance as they unload the cargo onto the ice shelf.
© International Polar Foundation
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Bobby and Alain fixing the genset on the freezer container, which keeps frozen goods at -25°C during transport to the station.
© International Polar Foundation
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Loading the fridge, which keeps our food at a constant temperature of 4°C.
© International Polar Foundation
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After finishing the unloading at midnight, the Mary Arctica's house band treated us to a concert on the ice shelf!
© International Polar Foundation
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The crew offered us a beer while we watched their concert. Bobby, our crane operator, really appreciated this!
© International Polar Foundation
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Another view of the ship's house band. They call themselves "Greenland Dogs".
© International Polar Foundation
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A magical view of Antarctica from the Mary Arctica!
© International Polar Foundation
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The same magical view, a mere half hour later.
© International Polar Foundation
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Even the massive ship appears small compared to the infinity of the ice around it.
© International Polar Foundation
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The most emotional moment after we finish unloading: we find ourselves alone again in this barren yet beautiful landscape, isolated from the rest of the world.
© International Polar Foundation
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Alain looking back at the ship as it leaves. The team had to be flexible in order to adapt to the changing conditions in real time. Years and of experience and good planning were essential in ensuring the unloading was able to be carried out smoothly this season.
© International Polar Foundation
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Unloading ops require a team of eight people willing to work day and night over the course of at least a week. Only a Belgian can do that!
© International Polar Foundation
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Driving back to Princess Elisabeth Antarctica with the Prinoth tractors dragging a 360 ton train of containers. We drive through the night in order to take advantage of the colder temperatures, which help us get a better grip on the snow.
© International Polar Foundation
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While we have to work very hard under challenging conditions, we also have the privilege of watching a sunset over a beautiful landscape at the bottom of the world!
© International Polar Foundation
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Arriving at the depot after bringing back the containers from Crown Bay.
© International Polar Foundation
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Arriving at the station at 7:30 am the next day, after 36 hours of nonstop driving. The first order of business is to unload the fridge!
© International Polar Foundation
