It's all a picnic for the Plumbers

The 2011/12 season’s team of Casey’s summer Mechanical Services Plumbers, hand-picked by Tim Price, consist of the 2011 Winterers Doug and Jason, and new arrivals Rob and Bob who joined Doug and Jas after venturing through McMurdo to Casey by air. After enjoying the American hospitality, viewing the station infrastructure and the historic sites such as Mt. Erebus and Scott’s Hut, it was onto Casey to work.

This season’s work programme has included cleaning and grouting two of our water supply tanks, relocation of the kitchen LPG gas rack and cleaning of the kitchens’ rangehood and grease trap – one of the many highlights of an Antarctic Plumber’s life.

Also, part of station life is a requirement for plumbers to maintain water, sewerage and air conditioning systems across all station buildings and to provide support for the Wilkins Airlink Project – Jason assisted the team in firing up the Airlinks’ facilities. This season we have the added challenge of working to eradicate a small number of flies that have made a home in the accommodation and waste treatment buildings, with advice and support from the team at Kingston HQ, as well as our own resident fly catcher Doug, who many consider to be the ultimate fly whisperer.

However, it would appear that Doug has underestimated a fierce new species discovered to exist in the Waste Treatment Plant… after hearing screams from the building…

Fortunately, it’s not all about work and catching flies at Casey. Doug, Jason, Rob and Bob have all ventured off station to explore the marvels that surround our station. Field trips have included visits to the Browning Peninsula, Robbo’s Hut and old Wilkes station across Newcombe Bay.

With the imminent arrival of V2, Doug’s winter has almost come to an end, apart from the annual report, which he is working hard on. On the social side of things the plumbing team have been more than active, with Saturday Karaoke Night proving to be a hit with some starring acts from Rob and Doug.

Monday the 5^th of December saw the plumbers and fellow expeditioners celebrate the Plumber’s Picnic Day. Plumbers won the tug of war by default, as no one bothered to show. We also won the egg and spoon race by default as we realised there are no eggs on station until the ship arrives! The day of fun concluded with the airing in the Odeon theatre of the ever popular movie, “Kenny”.

In closing, the Casey Plumbing Team of 2011/12 wishes everyone back home and those at other Antarctic stations all the best for the festive season.