The February edition of South Georgia News and Events is out and the article below is included in this very informative on line newsletter. Enjoy!
Graphic (c) Crown Copyright - Royal Navy - M/S Explorer on the bottom
The South Georgia Website reports that the tourist season starts next month with five yachts due to arrive at the Island in the week from October 11th. At least three of the yachts are bringing expedition groups.
The last of the krill trawlers finished fishing at the beginning of the month, leaving just one icefish trawler fishing in the South Georgia Maritime Zone (SGMZ).
My previous visit to Grytviken had been accented by the tour I took of the asbestos removal project at the whaling station. This year it had been completed and I was able to show others about the project. The abandoned oil tanks had been steam cleaned and all of the unsafe buildings were torn down, leaving the machinery exposed.
Photo (c) J. Brock (FINN) Exposed machinery once housed in a dangerous building.
Quark Fishing Limited and Freiremar SA are appealing against convictions and fines imposed on them for licence violations that occurred in South Georgia waters in 2004.
The South Georgia website has published its own account of Dame Ellen MacArthur's arrival to do the ACAP survey with Sally Poncet.
Photo (c) Javier Fernandez - Ellen MacArthur at King Edward Point South Georgia
BAS's Dr. David Walton sheds some light on two important areas of Antarctic Research.
Photo (c) J. Brock (SARTMA) - Dr. Walton During a lecture about the five-year plan for Antarctic research.
The South Georgia Heritage Trust will be restoring the exterior of the Manager's Villa at Stormness, where Shackleton sought help after his epic journey.
David Nicholls is scouting out possible areas to climb in South Georgia and he is bringing some volunteers with him.
Photo (c) J. Brock (FINN) The South Georgia Team
Twenty-one young explorers and nine experienced leaders are now approximately half way through their three-month adventure of a lifetime.
Photo (c) J. Brock (SARTMA)
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is spending a huge amount of money to rid Grytviken of asbestos.
Photo(c) Stuart Broughton The saunting task ahead.