Br.Ant.Territory : Hectic Schedule for BAS Rep
Submitted by (Juanita Brock) 09.08.2009 (Article Archived on 23.08.2009)

John Pye, the Head of Administration and Logistics at British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge has left the Falklands for Punta Arenas after a hectic day of meetings with the private and public sector about keeping BAS in the Falklands.

HECTIC SCHEDULE FOR BAS REP

By J. Brock (FINN)

John Pye, Head of Administration and Logistics at BAS in Cambridge had a busy day in the Falklands before flying to Punta Arenas on Saturday morning.

John Pye, the Head of Administration and Logistics at British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge has left the Falklands for Punta Arenas after a hectic day of meetings with the private and public sector about keeping BAS in the Falklands.

Mr Pye will be attending COMNAP (the Annual International Meeting of Antarctic Operators) in Punta Arenas, Chile.  This important annual meeting is necessary to discuss working together in Antarctica in matters like aviation, search and rescue and sharing resources.

“No single nation can operate in Antarctica alone,” he said

While on his way to Punta Arenas, Mr Pye stopped off at the Falklands for a full day of meetings.  Mr Pye was due to be accompanied by the Deputy head of British Antarctic Survey, Dr Robert Culshaw but he could not attend due to illness.  Nonetheless, Mr Pye had a full range of talks including with the Governor and Councillors as well as members of the private sector.  There was a lunch arranged for him at the Chamber of Commerce after a meeting with FIDC and a reception at Government House on Friday evening.

“This was an excellent chance to get together and share views about how we can work together in the future and continue to make the Falklands the main gateway for the British Antarctic Survey into Antarctica,” he said.  He went on to say that the link was fundamental and noted that until recently BAS had only worked through the Falklands.

During the meeting with FIDC and with the Chamber of Commerce the subject of accommodating BAS personnel in transit was discussed.  “We are confident that we can get accommodation when we are delayed in transit,” he continued.

The Chamber of Commerce will conduct a survey to get people accommodated in homes if the hotels are full.

The current crisis with air traffic being routed through Mount Pleasant and Punta Arenas means that communications between FIG, the Military and British Antarctic Survey have been stronger in recent years.  If Mr Pye has his way, there will be more regular dialogue in the future.

Mr Pye told FINN that on Friday he discussed the safety case for Stanley Airport with the Chief Executive Mr Tim Thorogood and what BAS could do to help to allow BAS aircraft operating through Stanley.

“We have had great support from the Military Forces at MPA but logistically our first preference is to use Stanley,” he said.

Though it is too late to get things done for this up and coming Antarctic Season, it is hoped that the one after will see BAS return to operating out of Stanley Airport.

FINN questioned Mr Pye about BAS operations in Punta Arenas and he said that there were no plans to move operations there, though they had to use it while things get sorted out here.  This is simply because of the practicalities of moving 300 or 400 people a year and line up the ships and flights, etc.

Recently FINN reported that Punta Arenas was developing the old terminal at the airport specifically for air operations to Antarctica at a cost of $9Million.  However, Mr Pye says that BAS has had no discussions with anyone involved in this.

In related news BAS started a new scientific programme on 01 April this year called “Polar Science for Planet Earth.  “BAS science is about global issues,” he said.  Watch this space for news about the re-build of Halley Station.