Day 3: Drake Passage

Based on a pre-cruise survey of guest interests, we were paired with a small group of like-minded guests. Our group was given the name “Humpback Whales” and we met today for the first daily briefing. We attended an IAATO briefing to learn about environmentally responsible practices for tourist travel to the Antarctic. International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) was founded in 1991 to advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic. 

At 10:00 am, we took clothes that we will wear off the ship for a mandatory biosecurity check (to ensure we aren’t inadvertently leaving seeds or other contaminants behind on the Antarctic peninsula). Each time we return to the ship, our outerwear is scrubbed and disinfected to protect Antarctica by preventing transfer of any organic material or diseases between sites that we visit.

Then we attended an overview of Antarctica with our expedition specialists, led by Julian Dowdeswell, glaciologist from the Scott Polar Research Institute at the University of Cambridge; Lars Rasmussen, ornithologist; and Judith Scott (judith-scott.com), marine mammal specialist and whale watching guide.

The already rough weather worsened throughout the day, now reaching swells of 4-5 meters (13-16 feet). The photos below look deceivingly calm. 

We’re expected to approach the Antarctic peninsula at noon tomorrow, when the conditions will improve considerably in waters protected by the mountains of the Antarctic continent. Apparently, viewing the first Iceberg is a noteworthy milestone on any Antarctic expedition, which should happen shortly before arriving at the peninsula.

At 5:30, I attended the Welcome Reception in the Aula auditorium with Captain Olivier Marien and senior officers of the Viking Octantis. The Aula is patterned after an original Aula auditorium at the University of Oslo, surrounded by works of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch and previously where Nobel prizes were awarded.

The rough seas of the Drake passage finally caught up with us, so we turned in before dinner, hoping to feel better in the morning when we reach the Antarctic peninsula.

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