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GO SHIP I08S Blog - Week 5

Crossing the Antarctic Circle in Style

April 1, 2024
Image 1. (Left) Snowman built on the deck during a snowstorm we passed through. (Right) Iceberg spotted during transit.
Image 1. (Left) Snowman built on the deck during a snowstorm we passed through. (Right) Iceberg spotted during transit.

It’s been a unique week while underway to Station 001 for our first cast. The weather has not been overly cooperative, but what can you expect when you aim for the Antarctic Circle? There was snow flying, snowmen on deck, and some massive icebergs to marvel at.

Image 2. Cups decorated by scientists prior to deployment.
Image 2. Cups decorated by scientists prior to deployment.

We also all got in on some Styrofoam cup decorations ahead of the first cast so we could have them shrunk within the Antarctic Circle. This is a bit of a tradition on hydrographic survey ships.

Image 3. (Left) Cups prepped for deployment in mesh net bag. (Right) Cups returning from the depths.
Image 3. (Left) Cups prepped for deployment in mesh net bag. (Right) Cups returning from the depths.

 We decorate the cups as souvenirs, and they double as fantastic science experiments demonstrating the effects of pressure in deep water as the cups shrink nearly half their original sizes.

Image 4. (Left) King neptune and his Antarctic Ice Queen attending our Red Nose Ceremony. (Right) My group performing a puppet show featuring Bill Nye the Science Sock and a 3D printed R/V Thomas G. Thompson.
Image 4. (Left) King neptune and his Antarctic Ice Queen attending our Red Nose Ceremony. (Right) My group performing a puppet show featuring Bill Nye the Science Sock and a 3D printed R/V Thomas G. Thompson.

While that was a bonding exercise, the strangest time of all came during the Red Nose (line-crossing ceremony). This occurred when we crossed into the Antarctic Circle 66-32 South Latitude. This was a talent show unlike any other, to try and appease King Neptune to prove our worth in crossing into his Royal Domain of the Penguin. Let’s just say there was plenty of fun to go around, and he must have approved as we were able to navigate within the circle!

The weather conditions might have proved fierce this week, but our spirits are high. We are making our way to station one and will begin sampling in earnest. I hope to be able to document this process and show you in the next blog the amzing work we all do once the fun is over.

Until then, appease the sea gods and keep it fun no matter what the weather tosses your direction!