Wrapping up the 2021-22 Season: Final Tasks Before Departure

Each February at the end of the austral summer research reason at the Princess Elsiabeth Antarctica the IPF team must take care of a number of important tasks to ensure a smooth overwintering for the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica. Here are some photos taken during the final work that msut be done before the station can clsoe for the winter.

Removing snow accumulation after several weeks of bad weather often takes the strength of a few people for a couple of days.png

© International Polar Foundation
Prinoth tractors require heavy maintenance on a regular basis. Mechanics perform the final maintenance of the season in the new heated garage of the station's north annex.

© International Polar Foundation
Mechanic Yann Perillot is our specialist in Prinoth tractor. He maintains and repairs all the tractors used at PEA.

© International Polar Foundation
In order to prevent ice and snow deposits under the station during the austral winter, the level of snow for the whole terrace must be lowered to install flexible protective panels on the lower façade of the building.

© International Polar Foundation
Tom Sage-Segard and Paul Dudas finish clearing the bottom of the façade before installing a flexible protection that will keep snow and ice from accumulating underneath the building.

© International Polar Foundation
Father and son plumbers Bernard and Simeon Polet install the electrical control box of the new sludge dryer - a device that reduces the volume of the untreatable sludge from the bioreactor by 95%!

© International Polar Foundation
After the BELSPO-funded RECTO scientific expedition to the coast to study marine biodiversity, improvements and repairs need to be made on the sledge that carries the winch that allows scientific instruments to make observations on the sea floor.

© International Polar Foundation
Since its construction nearly 14 years ago, the station's kitchen floor has seen a lot of use. The time has come to give it a fresh epoxy resin coating!

© International Polar Foundation
Bernard and Simeon Polet are carefully spread epoxy resin on the station's kitchen floor so it can support many more years of heavy duty use.

© International Polar Foundation
Hydraulic pistons are used to lift the station's annexes as the glacier underneath it recedes over time.

© International Polar Foundation
As the glacier on which the stations annexes are sitting moves and recedes, it is necessary to lift the station's annexes twice a year - once upon arrival, and once again at the end of the season.

© International Polar Foundation
Each year about 9 cm of struts must be added to the supports to keep the annexes level. Expedition Leader Alain Hubert, carpenters, and engineers manage this delicate operation.

© International Polar Foundation
Preparing for next season's plane landing, Simeon Polet went to the top of Vesthaugen Nunatak 30 km from PEA to conduct maintenance on the radio link to Perseus Airstrip.

© International Polar Foundation