My time in Antarctica at the Davis research Station was an experience I’ll never forget. I arrived in October aboard RSV Nuyina, ready for a two-month deployment that I knew would be challenging but rewarding. As the ship cut through the icy waters and the first glimpses of the frozen continent came into view, I felt a mix of awe and anticipation.
At Davis I settled into my role as an electrician, working to maintain and support the station’s critical infrastructure. The most important job during my time was spent performing the yearly maintenance on the powerhouse. This involved swapping the station to the 'emergency powerhouse' for nine days. During this time, in conjunction with the station diesel fitters, we inspected and serviced generators, electrical systems and backups, to ensure everything was running perfectly, for a smooth 12 months ahead in the harsh Antarctic conditions with (hopefully) zero power outages. It was demanding work, requiring precision and attention to detail, but knowing how vital the powerhouse is to station operations made it incredibly satisfying.
A highlight of the trip has been learning about the magnitude and importance of the research and monitoring being done here. I had the chance to hike out to the Davis infrasound facility for the yearly maintenance. The facility is part of a global network designed to detect nuclear explosions anywhere on earth, something I had no idea existed before my time here.
According to a Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation media release (19 November 2018):
Australia’s infrasound station “IS03” in Davis Base, Antarctica, is one of nearly 300 certified stations of the CTBT monitoring system, feeling and sniffing the Earth for any signs of a nuclear explosion. The global system will comprise 337 facilities when complete.
“The monitoring stations in Australia cover a large expanse of the southern hemisphere. They are strategically positioned to contribute significantly to the International Monitoring System (IMS) detection and location capability...” Zerbo said.
Life at Davis station had its own rhythm. The 24-hour daylight of the Antarctic summer took some getting used to, but it gave us time to explore the surreal beauty of the landscape. I’ll never forget the sight of penguins waddling along the ice, or walks to nearby islands to see the the seals lounging without a care in the world.
Steven Cunynghame - Electrician
