I am employed down here as a Plant operator (plantie). My job is to assist everyone with movement of anything using plant equipment, eg. fork lifts, excavators, dozers or loaders, and attempting to keep the worksite areas clear of snow and waste materials to ensure a safe work environment.
At the start of this season I was working with plumbers and carpenters as a tradie completing tank 3 which is now working as a fresh water storage unit containing 600,000 litres of water. We have 3 of these tanks.
During the summer season there were four of us Planties working here on several jobs assisting different trades. We have done everything from drilling holes for building foundations to batching concrete to fill the holes.
We have also positioned communication buildings (purpose-built containers) out in the field for improved communications using cranes, heavy loaders and heavy vehicles.
Since the summer crew deserted me, I am now working alone.
This year we have had considerable snowfall so I have been kept busy clearing doorways, maintaining roadways and walkways on station and preventing build-up of blizz tails around the station.
One of the biggest dangers down here is the snow covering our infrastructure and not being able to see it. To overcome this problem we position canes to show no-go areas when the ground is covered with snow.
It's not all work, work, work down here. We have a great social life - games nights, swimming events (summer and winter) sea ice travel mainly in Haggs and weekenders at different huts.
I am also lucky enough to spend several weeks in the field preparing Woop Woop, which is our snow landing ground on the plateau for aircraft when they can no longer land on the sea ice. That’s another job for me - preparing the ice for aircraft.
If you think it seems like my job is never ending, then you’d be right! Our re-supply is done over the sea ice at Davis! It’s an incredible feeling knowing there are hundreds of feet of water under you as you are drive a 20-tonne vehicle over it. Unlike ice truckers, we measure the depth of the ice to ensure it will support our weight.
I think the strangest thing we do here is to bring water with us to Davis from Australia. We move it from ship to shore using water tanks on trailers, and then pump into the tanks here on base. We need this additional water because our water-making plant, (which converts salt water into fresh water) during late summer can only operate a few weeks in the year. This is because the tarn we use to get our water from freezes over when it gets cold. I often wonder why penguins and seals leave here for winter, but we remain. Are we insane or just super keen? If you ever get the opportunity to get down you will know the answer.
We just got back from Woop Woop. A crew of eight of us went up in two Haggs to de-blizz the container buildings and the groomer. The day we got there, the temperature was −30°C with the wind blowing 25-35 knots. We unpacked the Haggs and got the generator running to heat the accommodation huts. To even get to this point, we had to level the buildings that had sunk below ground level. To do this we jacked them up, then towed them onto timbers to make them level and stop them sinking again. We then moved into our respective huts to get some relief from the wind and cold.
Each accommodation hut has four beds (2x bunks) a gas stove, gas heater, a small sink and VHF Radio. Luckily there’s no cats down here as there’s not enough room to swing one!
At 2 am the wind dropped. I know this because I could hear the generator and not the wind howling. As soon as we could, we started de-blizzing the groomer.
Some of the guys had other jobs to carry out first. Plumbing and electrical jobs for repairs needed to be done. Then they moved onto the groomer to help.
After about five arduous hours we had the groomer ready to go. Our plan was to use the ‘Herman Nelson’ to melt the remainder of the snow. The easiest way to describe a ‘Herman Nelson’ is to think of a jet engine blowing hot air. You don’t want to get behind it! However it was too cold for the Herman Nelson to even start. You know you’ve got a problem when you need a heater to start a heater! Meanwhile we all took it in turns going into the hut to defrost our hands. You just can’t work without gloves but at times you have to. Then came the process of getting your hands warm again. Each time a little bit less time working and a little bit more time thawing out! That’s the way it goes in the winter in the Antarctic! We eventually did get the Herman Nelson going but parts of some stories are best left untold!
As the day got darker, the temperature got colder and the wind got stronger and we finally got the snow groomer going. It needed to run for a good hour to get the engine warm (certainly not hot). We then had to operate the hydraulics gently to bring the oil up to a workable temperature. This took another hour. Then it was time to try to move the groomer, which was still frozen to the ground. Another 30 minutes moving back and forwards a few inches at a time finally freed the machine! Once we got it going, we had to keep going. We knew if we shut down again the snow in the engine bay would turn into a big ice block and make it impossible to start again.
Next morning, we decided the A-Factor (Antarctic Factor) had beaten us and it was time to head back to Davis. (A-Factor is a well-used term that means if it can go wrong or take twice as long, then it probably will). Most of the morning was spent sitting in the groomer waiting for the wind to abate before heading back to Davis. Not a problem you think, however the heater didn’t work and inside of the windscreen ended up being covered in 3 mm ice. Yes, it was that cold! So as you can now see, there is no such thing as a ‘simple job’ down here. But I think that is what makes this place so rewarding.
We finally got back to Davis without incident, ready for the Midwinter festivities including a Midwinter swim! The chippies, armed with chainsaws, cut a hole in the metre-thick ice and I removed it using the 7.5-ton excavator. Next day we had our swim in the balmy −1.8°C tropical waters.
On Midwinters day we had an awesome brunch, drinks, gift giving, drinks and a fantastic formal dinner.
Then the heavens opened with snow and the wind blew hard with a top speed of 89 knots. At least we were back in a comfortable setting before it hit and not still at Woop Woop!
This is my 5th trip down here, having been at Casey and Macquarie Island previously, and the only thing I can say for sure is every station is a totally new experience. The only thing that doesn’t change is the friendships that you form working with amazing people down here.
Anyway time to go push some snow. Hope I haven’t bored you too much. Remember if the opportunity presents itself don’t knock it back! You may not get another chance for the most amazing time of your life.
But just before signing off, I have to mention another adventure when we saw the most incredible frozen freshwater lake. It’s one of the most awesome sights I’ve seen so far. I’ve added a few more photos to show you all.
Best wishes to everyone
Macca
PS- This computer does Hyphens and other stuff that makes me look edumacated!
