Safety at Palmer Station

1/13/2012

Safety at Palmer Station

Upon arrival at Palmer Station, we began a series of safety courses to prepare us for our work in Antarctica. Take a look at the map. What kind of landforms do you see?

Many of the surrounding islands are the home to penguin rookeries, skua colonies, and most importantly, Belgica antarctica! Therefore, scientists must safely travel to the local islands around Palmer Station to do their research.

The Zodiac Boats

This is a zodiac boat. It holds 6-8 people comfortably to travel to and from the local Antarctic islands. Before we can use the boats, we must pass some safety courses first.

Safety is Priority

When working in Antarctica, safety is of the utmost importance. Check out some of the hazards described above.

Antarctic Safety Training

Our first safety course taught us basic survival skills in case we have difficulty making it back to the station from the islands.

Zodiac Time

Man Overboard Drill

Below I made a movie of our "man overboard" drill. While boating in the zodiac, we pretended a large bag in the water was a passenger overboard. We all work together to rescue the victim. First, we radio Palmer station for backup and point to the victim at all times so we don't lose sight in the icy waters. Last, we align the boat carefully so we can pull the victim back on board to safety. Once we mastered this skill, we practiced with real people overboard too!

Out and About on the Zodiacs

Below is a short movie highlighting our scenic boat ride from Torgeson Island to Palmer Station. Dr. Lee is driving the zodiac while I scan the waters for hazards. This first sunny day brings the water to life!

Crabeater Seals

Here are some photographs I took from the zodiac the same day. I really like learning about the Antarctic seals. Do you?

20 Comments

Sandy K Harr

1/13/2012 08:30:00 am

Nature Nat,

The latest videos and pictures are awesome!!! Can't wait to see your next posting.

Love,

Mom

Nature Nat

1/15/2012 10:37:59 am

Hi Mom!

I've taken over 2000 photos already. The incredible scenery makes it hard to take a bad picture here. Can't wait to show you all of them soon. Love you tons!!!!!

Bryan Summer

1/13/2012 10:06:27 am

Hi Natalie,
Old Man Winter hit hard here in Ohio today. Very cold, windy, and about 4" of snow has blown into drifts everywhere. We had teacher inservice and grade card day, so I was still at school as many schools were closed.
Your article on safety was very interesting, It's great to see that you are having practice drills.
What causes the blue ice that you mentioned and filmed in one of your videos?
I was surprised the seals will just sit so calmly on the ice.
I have been busy with astronomy this year, and I wondered what the night skies look like in antarctica? It must seem different not seeing familiar constellations.
You are doing an awesome job with your blog, photographs and film!
I want to show my students some of your sections that have penguins and seals. They will really enjoy the arctic animals.
I have one other question wondering if magnetic south and the south pole are different locations, just as it is with the north pole and magnetic north? I imagine the location of magnetic south can vary.
I start an online Miami course next week. Technology in the age of Biology.
Many blessings for your great adventure. Our class will be following along.
Bryan Summer

Nature Nat

1/15/2012 08:00:28 pm

Hello Bryan,

I'm glad that you and your students are following the Antarctica Connection. Yes, I am fascinated with the blue icebergs too. Blue icebergs occur when very little air is trapped in the ice. This causes the blue wavelenght of light to be scattered more than the other wavelenghts (similar to why the sky is blue). If there are air bubbles in the iceberg, it will appear white because all the wavelenghts will scatter equally. I haven't seen any night skies here because it's the austral summer right now. The sun begins to set around 11pm and then rises around 3am. It still remains rather bright during these hours, so no stars can be seen. The magnetic and geographical south poles are different locations in Antarctica. I am over 1000 miles away from each of them.

Take care!

Amanda

1/13/2012 08:35:47 pm

Hey! Hope you are having as much fun as the pictures show! Question about the Crabeater seals: What are their natural predators? Orcas? I figure they don't have many predators since they are so numerous however, we aren't there to further depleat the population. Have fun, stay safe, and we can't wait to see you when you get back!
Amanda

Nature Nat

1/15/2012 08:14:54 pm

Hi Cuz,

I am having an incredible adventure here. I really enjoy blogging about it and sharing it with everyone! Leopard seals are the most predacious species here in Antarctica. They often feed on the crab eater seals' pups and penguins. The keystone species is the krill, and many of the whales and seals depend on this shrimp-like organism. The crab eater seals have special teeth to filter these organisms for consumption. Have a great week!

Bonnie Soos

1/13/2012 11:08:13 pm

Happy Saturday Nat! I miss our Saturday morning "chats"!! Therefore, I thought that I would chat with you via blog! I love your recent blog. It is very reassuring to know that you and the crew are well trained in case of an emergency. You look very serious while staring the boat!! Kevin is impressed! The pictures and videos are amazing!! The crabseals are adorable. Do you know why they are called "crabeaters" if they do not eat crabs?! The landscape is absolutely gorgeous!! It seems so surreal! It would be a perfect place to "yoga" . Maybe you can make a yoga video via Antarctica!! I bet no yoga enthusiast has ever made a video there!! Anyways....I can't wait to see your next blog. Have I told you lately how PROUD I am of you!!! Keep safe! Keep up the awesome work! Love you!!

Love your #1 fan,
Bonnie (Bon-Bon)

Nature Nat

1/15/2012 08:26:45 pm

Hi Sis!

I miss our Saturday morning chats too! I'll have to think about that yoga video. haha. The crab eater seals' name can be confusing. The crab eater seals have special teeth that help them to filter the shrimp-like organisms called krill. "crab-eater" is more of a general term used to describe the seals' filtering adaptation to eat crustaceans. Hope this helps! Miss you tons!!!!

Indeed, its scientific name, translated as "lobe-toothed (lobodon) crab eater (carcinophagus)", refers specifically to the finely-lobed teeth adapted to filtering their small crustacean prey

The Gilles Gang

1/13/2012 11:18:52 pm

Miss Harr,
We really enjoyed checking out your latest blog. Logan liked the video that showed the Crabeater Seal. Molly liked the blue floating ice. I liked the arctic sounds I heard on your video. You've sure made this frozen part of the world really exciting to learn more about! Now, Molly and Logan both want to travel to Antarctica some day!
Jenny, Logan and Molly Gilles

Miss Harr (a.k.a Nature Nat)

1/15/2012 09:07:59 pm

Hello Molly, Logan, and Mrs. Gilles,

Thanks for following the blog! The crab eater seals are my favorite animal here. It's another gorgeous sunny day, so they are basking on the ice flows again in front of the station. I really enjoy making the videos for wonderful students like you! Enjoy your day off today!

Bob Flinn

1/15/2012 08:49:14 am

Hi Nat! I just read about a 6.8 earthquake 380 miles north of you! Did your safety training include Tsunami drills?

Nature Nat

1/15/2012 09:14:30 pm

Hi Bob,

Yes, there was an earthquake in our vicinity. We were out collecting yesterday on an eastern island, and were alerted about the earthquake via our handheld radio. We were coming out of a low tide, so we did not feel any effects from it. We just made sure that our zodiac was secured well in case there was a small swell. The station does have a Tsunami SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) in place here. I hope you are surviving the cold Ohio winter. Keep in touch!!!

Ed Soldo

1/16/2012 01:55:25 am

Natalie,

Great job on really 'telling the story' of all that's involved to get out to your collecting sites...safely! That taking one of the Ohio standards of Lab Safety to the deep south. You're generating lots of interest. Keep the visuals coming. Are you packing a special pan in your dry bag? ;o) I trust you're doing well on the cooks grub! Keep Dr. Lee away from those cookies! Ranger Ed

Nature Nat

1/16/2012 07:17:17 pm

Hi Ranger Ed,

I'm glad you liked my safety blog. The food here has been exceptional. I never go to sleep hungry!

Breanna and Nolan Teece

1/16/2012 05:39:45 am

Nolan and I have been following your daily adventures and think they are awsome. My favorite is the penguins. Be very careful and stay warm. Breanna & Nolan Teece

Miss Harr (a.k.a Nature Nat)

1/16/2012 07:19:34 pm

Hi Breanna and Nolan!

Thanks for following the blog! It is so fun being a Nature Detective here. Have you had any snow days yet? Today is an exceptionally windy day here so we are staying indoors. Keep up the great work at school!

Robert (you sister spanish class :P

1/17/2012 02:50:09 am

i love seals!!!!

Nature Nat

1/17/2012 09:18:05 pm

I really enjoy the seals too. They are fascinating and mysterious creatures!

thomas fusci (Mrs. Stamm's k)

1/31/2012 07:15:20 am

We love all your photos. We like the seals the best.

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8/19/2013 08:03:58 pm

Antarctica is a wonderful place to visit and I was there last summer with my friends. This is a wonderful place for site seeing and adventure. Thanks for sharing this with us and keep posting more updates in your blog.

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