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Antarctica Cruises: Zodiac Landing Craft

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

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Antarctica Photography Tips

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tips for Casual Photographers

Because cold temperatures sap battery power, carry batteries close to your body to keep them warm and carry plenty of extra memory.

Protect your camera; rain and sea splash make waterproof bags essential, zip locked plastic bags will do.

You need a flash for photographs in the Antarctic to fill in shadows in the harsh light.

The ratio of shots taken to get a photograph you will be proud to show others – 5:1, so bring plenty of film.

If you are going to purchase a camera for this trip, do not invest in expensive gear, purchase waterproof disposable cameras instead.

If you plan to travel with a digital camera, bring extra memory chips – remember the 5:1 ratio mentioned above.

Tips for Serious Photographers

Gear You Can Leave Behind:

Your photographic vest, because you can’t wear it over the bulky parka that is mandatory for an Antarctic trip.

Your side-bag, as it makes getting in and out of a Zodiac difficult.

Tips for Digital Photographers

Invest in an image-tank, especially if you shoot in "raw" format, which creates large files.

Bring extra memory – the shooting ratios of 3:1 to 5:1 apply for digital photographers.

Bring memory sticks for uploading your photographs, to reduce the number of memory cards you should bring.

Bring a laptop only if you want to create presentations and manipulate your photographs before reaching home.

CDs and USB memory sticks for downloading can be purchased at the bar.

With the appropriate cabling, which you must bring, the ship’s computer can accept uploaded photos for CD burning.

The ship’s computer will be accessible only during specific hours will be posted on board.

All Photographers Should Know

Replacement equipment is not available on board.

Bring camera cleaning gear.

You cannot purchase replacement batteries onboard the ship.

Essentials

A watertight photographic bag.

Getting in and out a Zodiac is easier if you carry a specialized backpack with compartments for different accessories.

Bring a floating bag to carry photographic gear from one place to another.

The Antarctic light makes “bracketing” mandatory most of the time – when deciding how much film to carry the minimum ratio of shots required to one good photo – 3:1.

A good reliable, strong flash unit to fill in shadows in harsh light of the subantarctic islands and the snow of Antarctica.

A tripod.

Special bird shots may require a fast long lens, but for the most part a medium zoom is all you need.

Most Things You Should Know

Polarizing filters are useful, but not essential, because the air is very clear with no dust. Antarctic light can be harsh, become misty fog and move to blinding white because of the snow. Because cold temperatures sap battery power, carry batteries close to your body to keep them warm and carry plenty of spares. Disposable hand warmers carried in your bag or pocket next to the batteries keep them functioning in cold temperatures.

Tags: antarctica cruise , antarctica photoraphy tips , Taking Photographs in Antarctica

Precautions While In Antarctica

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.

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Antarctica Cruise

Sunday, August 02, 2009

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

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

The unique wildlife that inhabits Antartica, 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.

Antartica 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 sailng Antartica are equipped with zodiacs for cruising among ice floes and transferring from ship to shore. Some ships are equipped with helicopters for aerial sightseeing. Antartica is for adventure seekers. Getting to Antartica is part of the experience. The Drake Passage can cause rough waters, and yet some crossings are smooth sailing with oportunites for bird and whale watching. Unpredictability is the only thing you can truly count on.

Trips to Antartica 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 Antartic 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 Antartica. 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.

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South Georgia

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

Tags: south georgia , south georgia antarctica

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