Antarctica is an extraordinary place. Due to its remote location and climate, it remains virtually free of modern societal fingerprints. As Minke, Finn, Humpback & Killer whales, Gentoo, Chinstrap, & Adelie penguins and Leopard, Crabeater, Fur, Elephant & Weddell seals sail through the rich-blue waters, enormous color-splashed icebergs chug along via strong ocean currents. Glaciers oscillate across the seasons - adding to their substantial mass in the winter; melting down and calving in the summer, as thunderous booms ricochet throughout the air, sending surging waves to crash on nearby shores. However, as technologies improve, this mecca of unspoiled natural beauty could be placed under siege, whether by tourism, the quest for raw materials or food, or some other unknown reason.
With an increase in tourism, boats which were not built for Antarctic conditions are being rushed into service. Boats which were slated for decommissioning are being purchased, hastily refurbished, and sent out to the perilous Antarctic seas. Ship crews are being thrown together at the lowest expense, and in some cases, safety protocols are being sidestepped to save time and money.
It is thus, no surprise, that ship accidents in the region are on the rise. Additionally, one can only assume that right alongside the factory-tour mentality that is gripping profit-minded operators, will be groups that do not treat this environment with the utmost care; care that is desperately required. Here, more than any other place I've observed, humans are truly the visitors. But, as tour numbers grow, I fear that the visitor mentality will slowly erode and be replaced by the conquering psyche.
For those of you looking into travelling to Antarctica, I would strongly advise that you ensure that the boat you are thinking of travelling on has covered lifeboats. Even though you are on vacation or assignment or whatever - bad things can and do still happen. If, for some reason, you find yourself abandoning ship, I can guarantee you that you'd rather be in a covered lifeboat.
For instance, if weather conditions had been typical, virtually all the passengers on the MS Explorer, which sank in November 2007, would most certainly have perished primarily due to the use of open lifeboats. Being tossed around an expansive, frigid ocean in an exposed dinghy waiting for a rescue team might be fun for a stunt double in a Hollywood movie, but is probably not the optimal way you want to spend the end of your vacation.
In addition, make sure the boat you are on is built for Antarctic conditions. A boat designed for cruising in the Greek Isles is probably great for seeing Santorini, but maybe not so great for hitting chunks of hardened ice. And, even if you don't care about safety - how will it impact your expedition if your ship can't go where you need to go? In other words - do your research on the ship you are thinking of taking - it actually matters. If you have other questions about that region, feel free to ask.
The collection of photographs I have included here is from what I (very) loosely call the Antarctic Region. This region, for personal purposes of photographic organization, consists of the Falkland Islands (which lays north of the Antarctic Convergence and thus clearly outside the 'Antarctic Region" yet provides a home for many Black-browed Albatross and the less prolific Wandering Albatross, alongside Rockhopper & Magellanic penguins), South Georgia Island (home to King Penguins), South Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Penninsula (and surrounding islands).
To enter the picture gallery, click here: Antarctic Region Photo Gallery
