Health, Safety, and Questionable Photography

On February 15^th, we were all surprised to find out that we had to put sampling on pause for a day because we had to head back to McMurdo. None of us were exactly sure why, because all we knew is that one of the crew members had a medical issue that required us to return to McMurdo before we could continue collecting seawater. The 15^th was originally scheduled to be a busy day of sampling, so it was relieving to take a break, although, time passes faster when our days are busy. The seas were rough that day as we hurried back, fighting through 50 knot winds and cruising at a speed of 10 knots. I had fun walking outside into the wind to snap some photos of icebergs as we passed them by. We dropped the crew member off around 1:30 AM or so on the 16^th via zodiac, which I unfortunately didn’t get a photo of, but you can see a photo of one of the Palmer’s zodiacs in the interview with Jamee. From what I understood his condition was serious enough to warrant turning back, and now he is in good hands, either at McMurdo Station or possibly New Zealand.

View of Beaufort Island as we passed by on our way back to McMurdo Station. 

Photo credit: A. Margolin.

An iceberg sighted in the 50 knot winds as we hurried back to McMurdo. 

Photo credit: A. Margolin.

I wanted to share that brief story to let you all know that our health and our safety is our number one concern, even before the science that we are conducting at sea. If someone on board is in need of medical attention, our EMT, Jamee, will treat them. If further attention is required and we will change course towards the nearest medical facility. If you would like to learn more about what it’s like to be an EMT in the Antarctic, check out the interview with Jamee, our onboard EMT.

For the most part, that is all I have to say for the time being, or at least all that is all that I have prepared for this post. Since we received our first question earlier today, I thought I would share some of the photos that we have recently take while sampling in the Ross Sea, since the question is on photography. If you have questions for any of us on board, I encourage you to send us an email at tracers-blog@nbp.usap.gov, and we will get back to you through this blog as soon as we can. I hope you enjoy these photos that we have had the privilege of taking over the past week.

Snow petrel flying over pancake ice. Photo credit: K. Goetz.

Cape Washington as Jerry and his group survey for penguins on February 14^th.
Photo credit: A. Lee.

View from the Palmer docked at McMurdo Station. Photo credit: T. Purcell.

View of McMurdo Station from Observation Hill. Photo credit: J. Race.

Crossing over Antarctica during our C-130 flight on February 7^th. Photo credit: A. Westman.

Five molting Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), taken February 18^th. 
Photo credit: A. Margolin.

I hope you are all doing well, wherever you are in the world!

–Andrew