20-day voyage for BAS team
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research and support teams have returned from Antarctica to the UK after a 20-day sea voyage on board a charter ship and the Royal Research Ship (RRS) James Clark Ross.
This homecoming is the end of an exceptional mission to repatriate scientists, support teams and construction workers who completed their Antarctic summer field season work in April and May.
The plans were put into place as South American air routes were unavailable. MoD flights, suspended when Cape Verde officials stopped access for refuelling, resumed through Senegal following actions by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and MoD.
There were 85 ‘passengers’ on board the MS Hebridean Sky and 18 (including two BAS Medical Unit doctors) on the RRS James Clark Ross.
BAS chartered a passenger ship, moored off the Falkland Islands and operated by Noble Caledonia, to provide quarantined accommodation and transport for 85 science, support staff and a number of construction workers who were building a new wharf at Rothera Research Station for the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
RRS James Clark Ross. Credit: BAS
The MS Hebridean Sky arrived at Portsmouth International Port while the BAS ship, RRS James Clark Ross, arrived at Harwich Port.
“I am thrilled that British Antarctic Survey scientists, support teams and construction workers have arrived safely back in the UK and can reunite with their families and loved ones. Their work is remarkable in furthering our understanding and helping us tackle global warming.
“I would also like to thank BAS, the Falklands authorities, Noble Caledonia and the crew of MS Hebridean Sky who helped to repatriate BAS employees – a massive undertaking at an exceptional time,” says Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Research and Innovation, Amanda Solloway.
“We are delighted to have been able to assist British Antarctic Survey with the repatriation of their staff members who have been involved with vital scientific and research work down south,” says Noble Caledonia Head of Fleet Operations, Mike Deegan. “We were pleased to provide this service at no profit to ourselves in view of the extraordinary challenges faced by BAS. Whilst the journey home this year was undoubtedly longer than usual, our crew members have worked hard to ensure a safe, healthy and comfortable transfer back to the UK.”
