Antarctica Cruises: Zodiac Landing Craft

Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Procedures for Zodiac Excursions
 

• To participate in shore excursions by Zodiac you must attend all Zodiac briefings aboard and ashore.
• You may not board a Zodiac unless you are properly attired.
• Dress in several layers of clothing, topped off with a parka
• Waterproof pants and warm headgear are necessary.
• Wear the rubber boots that we will loan you over two pairs of socks, when the Expedition Leader informs you that the landing will be wet.
• Carry your small belongings in a backpack so that both your hands are free to hold railings and accept assistance when embarking or disembarking the Zodiac.
• All electronic and valuable personal equipment like cameras, videos, binoculars etc. should be packed in waterproof bags and carried in your backpack.
• You must wear a lifejacket at all times while riding in a Zodiac.
• You may not smoke in a Zodiac or when on shore.
• Accept assistance when embarking or disembarking, using the sailor’s grip, which will be demonstrated at the first briefing.
• While the Zodiac is in motion, you must remain seated with your feet on the deck.
• Keep your body, arms and hands inside the Zodiac to avoid injuries.
• You can make a stable platform for photography while in the Zodiac by kneeling on the floor with elbows on the pontoon.
• Other guests are eager to take photographs too, please make way for them, when you have taken your photos.
• When you arrive at the landing, remain seated until the driver and over the pontoon, stepping or sliding off – do not jump.
• Re-embarkation is the reverse of the disembarkation process.

  Information from Quark Expeditions

Antarctica Photography Tips

Posted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tips for Casual Photographers

Precautions While In Antarctica

Posted on Monday, October 05, 2009

Landings & Wildlife

Here are a few guidelines that you will be asked to follow. More detailed instructions (IAATO [International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators] Recommendation XVIII-1 Visitors Guideline) will be provided in your final documents.
 

• Listen and obey Expedition Team instructions.
• Keep track of time. Do not delay others – return to the landing site prior to the appointed time of departure.
• Never wander off alone or out of sight of the Team positioned ashore.
• Maintain visual contact with Team members.
• Do not walk onto glaciers – there may be hidden crevasses.
• No smoking ashore.
• No littering, souvenir collecting, or urinating ashore.
• Avoid taking items ashore that could become accidental litter: film boxes, tissues, etc.
• Anything that you carry to a landing should be returned to the ship.
  
  Safe Behavior Near Wildlife
  
  Do not touch animals.
  
  Keep a minimum distance of 5 meters (15 feet) from all animals – especially nesting birds.
  
  If an animal’s behavior changes – you are too close. Although the animal may not show obvious fear, they could still be distressed. Remember, if bird leaves its nest, the eggs or chicks are at risk.
  
  Fur seals are usual dangerous, therefore keep a greater distance than 5 meters from them at all times.
  
  Always give wildlife the right of way.
  
  Avoid coming between an animal and the shore or ocean.
  
  Be Aware of Your Surroundings
  
  Move slowly and always check behind you.
  
  Birds flying or calling overhead signifies you are too close to a nest or young chicks. Retrace your steps the way you came.
  
  Do not make sudden movements.
  
  Keep quiet – do not make loud or sudden noises.
  
  Keep low if possible – you will appear less threatening to animals and it will also yield better photographs for you.
  
  Do not try to make an animal react for a photograph.
  
  Patience yields the best rewards.
  
  Standing still for long periods of time can be of great benefit when viewing wildlife.
  
  Protecting Fragile Vegetation
  
  Avoid walking on moss beds, lichens, or grasses. They are very delicate and slow growing.
  
  Always wash your boots on the ship before and after each landing.
  
  Leave nothing but foot prints.
  
  BASIC PRINCIPLE
  
  Do not disturb wildlife, historical remains on the landscape.

Information provided by Quark Expeditions.

Antarctica Cruise

Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009

'Tis the season we receive many requests for trips to Antarctica. Antarctica is a very unique destination, and not for the client expecting a luxury cruise. We do have some luxury ships touching on the Antarctica Peninsula, but this is not the Polar experience most adventuresome travelers are looking for.

You will not find power lines, billboards or highways in Antarctica. When the engines of your ship are turned off, the only sounds you hear are natural-wildlife, water and the occasional boom of icebergs calving.

The unique wildlife that inhabits Antarctica, thrive in large numbers. Penguin populations are counted in tens of thousands. Whales cavort in pods. Seals often loll on large ice floes in groups.

Antarctica is a must for photographers. Once-in-a-lifetime photos are a sure bet.

The Adventure ships offer mountaineering, kayaking, cross-country skiing and camping. The fleet of ships sailing Antarctica are equipped with zodiacs for cruising among ice floes and transferring from ship to shore. Some ships are equipped with helicopters for aerial sightseeing. Antarctica is for adventure seekers. Getting to Antarctica is part of the experience. The Drake Passage can cause rough waters, and yet some crossings are smooth sailing with opportunities for bird and whale watching. Unpredictability is the only thing you can truly count on.

Trips to Antarctica are pricey, but the experience is worth every penny spent. The smaller ice-breakers, with 11 or 12 day cruises start at just under $4000 for triple share accommodations in the early part of the Antarctica season (November and early December). The twin share accommodations run just over $5000 and increase as the season progresses. In the height of season ( late December – January), you might be looking at a little over $9000 per person depending on the accommodations available.

Many travelers elect to stay in Buenos Aires for a few days either before or after their trip to Antarctica. We offer a full package with airfare, two nights in Buenos Aires and a charter flight to Ushuaia along with some of our Polar Expeditions.

South Georgia

Posted on Monday, July 20, 2009

The ultimate wildlife experience; hundreds of thousands of colourful king penguins blanket the beach against a backdrop of towering snow-covered mountains. Elephant and fur seals are found in mind boggling numbers and albatross soar overhead. Explore the astonishing fjords and bays of this South Atlantic ark. History abounds as we make landfall at an abandoned whaling station or when we raise a toast at the grave site of one of the greatest explorers ever - Sir Ernest Shackleton.

The climate is generally cloudy, cold and windy. February is the warmest month, with a mean temperature of 6°C. (42.8°F) Temperatures seldom reach above 9.5°C or below -15°C  (59°F)

Some highlights of our trips to South Georgia include:
· South Georgia Island
· Grytviken
· Salisbury Plain
· Bay of Isles
· South Orkney Islands
· Elephant Island