There are strict biosecurity rules for landings on South Georgia Island.

South Georgia Island ... pretty far out in the Scotia Sea.

Grytviken whaling station operated for 60 years; 175,000 whales hunted & processed.

Endemic species of SGI ... saw them in 2007 ... will we see them this time?

Cetaceans of the world ... they greatly vary in size.

Good advice from Sara's photography presentation.

No landings possible at Shag Rocks ... nor will we likely see them so clearly.

Seabirds spend most of their lives aloft using the winds to do so without flapping their wings.

Superstitions of the mariners of the Southern Ocean.

And if a boy is born below decks where the guns are kept ... son of a gun!

A project to map and explore seafloor habitats around South Orkney Islands.

Detail of the South Orkneys SO-AntEco project.

RWSE Day 3: @ Sea to SGI

February 13, South Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌬 37 °F

“A journey is like a person, no two are alike. And all plans, safeguards, policies, and coercion are fruitless. We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip, a trip takes us.” ~~ John Steinbeck ~~ (from the Daily Program)

Overnight we left the infamous Drake Passage — which treated us if not to a ‘lake’ then at least not to a really bad ‘shake’. We are now in the Scotia Sea.

Our second morning at sea toward SGI (South Georgia Island) started off with a mandatory briefing … or rather a visitor guide video. Of primary concern here is the fragile ecosystem into which we do not want to introduce any alien species … organic matter in particular, such as seeds, soil particles, etc. To that end, there are very strict biosecurity rules. We will be inspected by government authorities when we arrive at SGI … and must get a minimum 85% compliance in order to be allowed ashore.

This sea day otherwise followed the established routine of presentations — “Introduction to South Georgia” … “Whales and Dolphins of the Southern Ocean” … “How to Take Photos You Are Happy With.”

At the daily recap, Sara announced that we should be arriving at Shag Rocks for our ‘cruise-by sightseeing’ around 7:15p tomorrow … assuming we can maintain our current speed. Members of the expedition team then shared snippets of information on topics ranging from how the sea birds use the winds to stay aloft; to the superstitions of mariners; to a summary of a study with regards to the Antarctic ecosystem.

By the way, we lost an hour today … the change was made at noon so that we don’t lose an hour of sleep!Read more