Now one of the marvels of life we get to witness, learn about, and possibly tango on (mind those stilettos), at any coastal Antarctic station, especially over winter, is sea ice.
Sea ice is a marvel of engineering. Given the right circumstances (one of which is the seawater reaching -1.8 degrees - brrrr!) the surface of the water can start to freeze. To be able to watch this process happen is pretty special To be able to then travel on this sea ice is even more mind blowing.
There are a number of phases that happen as the seawater freezes into something strong enough to allow us to have our own (some might say) biblical moment in life where we can in fact ‘walk on water’.
These growth phases have illustrative names like frazil, grease, and pancake. Imagine what each of those phases looks like, and you’ll be right. My favourite phase is the pancake ice phase. Why is that Billy?
Ultimately though, what we are looking for is a solid, coalesced area of sea ice to travel on. Imagine if you will, all the pancakes have merged into one mega pancake to rule them all (yum) and then that one pancake has stuck itself fast to the land, kinda like when you flip a pancake and it fastens itself to the ceiling…well, kinda like.
Hmmm what shall we call this sea ice I wonder? Ok, why not 'fast Ice’ - great idea.
It is this fast ice we ultimately can travel on using our 20:40:60 rule (minimum 20 cm of solid, dry strong sea ice for walking, 40 cm for small vehicles like quad bikes or skidoos and 60 cm for Hagglunds).
Acknowledging that walking, driving or dancing on ice-covered water comes with inherent risk, we help to minimise this with a thorough safety net of training, equipment and travel parameters.
Before we open the sea ice for the winter we need to run a search and rescue (SAR) training day.
Introducing the fabulous ‘Rescue Alive’ Pontoon rescue system (insert appropriate 1990’s dramatic rescue music here). This super practical, portable system is found on each of our continental stations.
It comes with a training video permeated with ‘manly men’ in red rescue outfits, sporting splendid hirsute and marvellously manicured moustaches.
Not to be outdone, our SAR team recreated this look by sporting their own mos and 'Rescue Red', floatation-enhanced Mustang suits.
As soft snow fell on a windless winter's day, the SAR team ran through their paces on the fast ice in front of the Wharf Hut.
Footnote: Casey station’s sea ice started forming in March, however weather events kept blowing the sea ice away. Winterers have been able to observe this phenomenon on a number of occasions which is really useful from a training point of view. Recently, we had another big ol’ blizz that blew our sea ice away for the third time, and this time right back to the wharf!
As I type this article though, just like the formation of a moustache, new sea ice is growing in earnest. I can hear it…a magical thing.
Billy Wallace - Casey Winter Field Training Officer.
