Location: Portside, Punta Arenas, Chile Latitude: 53 10.22 S Longitude: 70 54.40 W Weather: Varies from sunny to stormy! Wind: Calm to 60 knots +
Yes! Its move-in day. I reported to the boat this afternoon for room assignments. I am rooming with Cecilia Selberg. Cecilia is the Assistant to Director-General at the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat. I met her at the meeting in Sweden in October and I am very glad to have such a knowledgeable and experienced person bunking with me!! Cecilia handles all the administrative issues and details of the expedition concerning the participants. She maintains the daily updates that are posted for everyone, and is responsible for expedition reports submitted to the Office of the Secretariat in Stockholm. She boarded the Oden in Buenos Aires, Argentina in mid-November, and this is her first cruise to Antarctica. I can tell you that she is always busy, and has been a great personal help to me!!
The cabin we share is small and I have top bunk. After an attempt to organize my personal belongings, we head out for the first of several meetings. I had already met some of the participants, but there are new participants to meet. Logistics of the expedition are discussed in one of many meetings to come, and then we disperse until the Safety meeting. The Safety meeting began with a roll call. We each have a specific muster number assigned, and a phone we have to wear at all times. When an alarm goes off, we are to report in warm clothes to the "muster” point on the helicopter deck. (The helicopter will not be traveling with us) This is not unlike designating a meeting place for a fire drill, etc. Our muster number determines what life boat we get into in the event of an emergency.
**Muster on the deck
**
Swedish scientists listen to 2cd Officer Thomas Stromsnas explain muster procedures.*
We then tried on the Life Preservers. They actually have a blinking light for recovery in dark seas/nighttime. We were instructed on where they are located and how to wear them correctly.
**Lifejackets
**
Ch. Officer Ola Andersson distributes lifejackets.*
**Lights on the lifejackets **
Looks like Marwin, Walker and Kevin found the emergency lights!
The next station in the training involved the survival submersion suits. Let me begin by saying this is a one -size for all! So my short stature presented some challenges! It is a one-piece bright orange ensemble that is meant to keep you alive and safe in the water until help arrives. I found out the hard way that the best way to put it on is by sitting down and pulling it up feet first. Once inside, there are straps to pull to shorten the legs for a better fit (right!) After adjusting the legs, you zip it up almost to the chin and then squat down to squeeze out the access air (don’t want to bob upside down in the water!) Next step, zip it up tight around you chin, pull head covering up over the head. Gloves are last. By the way, your warm clothes have to fit under this, since you may be plunging into the water for an unspecified time! The suit also has a whistle and a light. AND, there are rings on the suit that you are supposed to use to link yourself in a circle with others!
**Feet first! **
Rebecca sits on the deck to pull on the suit.
**Lillie and Rob Sherril in suits **
Ok, we’re finally in, now what??
**Squeezing the air out **
Bend down and squeeze as much air out as possible!!
**Joining rings **
Circle up and attach yourself to the others!
**Tish Yager in survival suit **
Tish got in her suit with no problems!
The last item was getting into the lifeboats. There are actually two types. The Throw Overboard Life Raft is inflatable. It is actually all wound up in a metal container that is positioned on the ship. Upon opening it, this huge tent-like structure inflates, and you climb aboard (we didn’t open it).
**Overboard Inflatable Life Raft **
This is the raft container as it sits on the ship.
**Open inflatable raft diagram **
This diagram show what the raft looks like when open!
The other type of lifeboat accommodates ten people in an enclosed vehicle. Our muster number determines which lifeboat we go into. It’s equipped among other things with food, water, flares, flashlight, and GPS. Another important item is plastic bags in the event of seasickness. There are no windows, just the entry door! The crew and participants are divided up so that each lifeboat has someone from the ship on it to handle deployment (good plan).
**Lifeboat **
It’s a tight squeeze inside!!
Do not be fooled by the smiles on our faces. While we did have a few laughs trying on the equipment and getting inside the lifeboat, we all understood the seriousness of being prepared for an emergency. I am impressed by the efficiency and organization that we observed from the crew during this training.
Safety should always be a serious matter! And I have the upmost confidence in this crew and the participants to handle any emergency. I just hope we never have to do more than a drill!
Lollie Garay