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30th November 2007
Ice-Strengthened Cruise Ships for Antarctica: More on Ice Classes 1 reply
Ice Classes & Ice-Strengthened Cruise Ship Ratings - Antarctica
More on the topic of ice-strengthened cruise ships and their ice classes - as you know it’s less than a week that I depart for Antarctica. I’m finalizing equipment (digital camera, satellite phone, computer) and continuing to research as many topics possible on the safety of my Explorer II cruiseship, which is now the Abercrombie & Kent Minerva.
As I mentioned in my last post, I came across a very helpful website, www.gcaptain.com, that referenced ice classes and some helpful blog posts regarding the problems with cruising in today’s Antarctica, under concerns regarding climate change, tourism, ice classes of various ice-strengthened cruiseships, and crew information.
I received some immediate responses from the website, which were all extremely helpful. I was disappointed, however, to find out that my cruiseship’s ice rating was not well received by those responding to my blog post.
28th November 2007
Ice- Strengthened Hulls in Antarctica Bound Cruise Ships
Is Your Antarctica Cruise Ship Ice-Strengthened?
Questions for Your Antarctica Cruise Tour OperatorsI continue to receive emails and calls asking about whether or not my Antarctica bound ship is ice-strengthened, as well as concerns for whether or not I was on the ship in Antarctica last week. First of all, I was thankfully not on last week’s trip. Second, I plan to still go to Antarctica. I leave in one week. Third, yes, my ship is ice-strengthened.
I also had questions about whether or not our ship has a double hull, ice strengthened or is an ice breaker. I read a disconcerting post in an article from a larger cruiseliner company indicating ice-strengthened hulls or bottoms or ice-breakers were not necessary since they travel in Antarctica in the “summer”, and there isn’t much ice where they go. I look forward to posting pictures of the ice during Antarctica’s austral summer. It is disconcerting to know that larger cruise ships are venturing into this area, without ice-strengthened hulls or bottoms.
It’s 23 degrees - to 50 degrees F depending on where you’re at in Antarctica. My cruise ship is venturing to Palmer Research station, which is in the Northwest quadrant of Antarctica. It is not going further south, nor is it venturing to the Falkland Islands, or on the East side of Antarctica. Some of these areas do not experience ice thaws until late in austral Antarctica summer, if at all.
Personally, I want to know that the ship is ice-strengthened and double-hulled, but wasn’t the Explorer? I think it was. One report indicated it wasn’t, but I’m pretty sure that was the first ice breaker to exist.
Does an ice-breaker or double-hulled ice strengthened boat have a chance up against an iceberg? I just found a great website that references some of the questions I have about the differences between double hull, ice-strengthened and ice breaker. I’ve linked to the article, however, in summary - the double hull simply means that if the first layer is penetrated, but not the second, water entry should not occur. However, that does not necessarily mean it was strengthened for ice floes or icebergs. The G.A.P. Explorer was, according to this site, a 1A1 Ice A rating. The Abercrombie Explorer II, which is the ship I’ll be on next week, is a double hulled ice class vessel with an Italian RINA Class 1-D. Don’t even ask me what the difference is but I’m trying to find out. I’ve posted a request at the site above, www.gcaptain.com
Here is a Navy’s article (dated in 2001) referencing an ice breaker versus an ice-strengthened ship.
Website referencing Antarctic ships.
Experienced Antarctica Cruiseship Captains the Issue? - This is a great article
Is global warming contributing to new iceberg formation? Here is a website talking about how 200 new icebergs formed in 2006.
Also, how long does one survive in a life boat in 20 degree weather with waves, and fog? What do you do to prevent hyper thermia? I have waterproof and wool clothing, and have frequented Dick’s Sporting Goods a litle too often. A&K also offers a parka.
Lastly, please do me a favor - say a prayer for safe travels in Antarctica - and that’s it. Nothing else needs to be said. Nothing negative, nothing else.
24th November 2007
Antarctica Cruiseliner Sinks: Should I Still Go to Antarctica?
Antarctica Cruise: Yesterday’s Explorer, Owned by G.A.P. Expeditions, Sinking Was A Sobering Event
If you followed any of the events surrounding Explorer sinking yesterday off the Shetland Islands, south of Ushuaia, Argentina, please let me know your thoughts in the comments area. Have you been on this ship, the G.A.P. Explorer, or another ship?
I’m headed to Antarctica in less than two weeks, on another ship. However, I planned to be on Abercrombie & Kent’s Explorer II which is now named the Minerva. A&K used to own the old Explorer, before it was sold to G.A.P. in 2004.
Personally, learning the cruisers and crew were okay was a relief. But when the ship lost her battle with the seas, that was sobering news. The 154 passengers are incredibly lucky, and the awareness of this fact increases when you learn the ship did not survive, sinking within 14 hours of the iceberg collision.
Reports on the safety records are referenced in several online articles today, including this one. Lloyd’s List, an online maritime industry news website, talks about the safety issues reported with the Explorer as well as assessing the insurance cost as a result of the tragedy.
Passenger accounts are beginning to stream in, along with bloggers weighing in on the news. I read one blog post of people who picked up some of the ship’s cruisers and crew, indicated they did not have wallets or identification. I wonder what the mood was when the ship’s cruisers were asked to disembark, without even their wallets? Did people think they would be able to return? Was there not enough time? Should our personal identification and wallet be on our selves at all times? Cameras and photographers probably wanted to take their equipment with them, perhaps a satellite phone was desired. Perhaps they wouldn’t allow any belongings whatsoever.
I found it difficult to get information on this topic from the major American TV news outlets. A cruise liner going down is a big deal, so why did the news give it no more than a mere mention? The wildfires in Malibu - that gets hours of coverage on CNN. It’s kinda funny or sad that we’ve been talking about global warming, to near hype levels, for the past year. The Today Show was in the region for an entire week, movie stars have frequented the region recently, and yet a cruiseliner carrying scientists and some tourists does not get much news coverage when it sinks, luckily without loss of life.
Bloggers criticised increased tourism, along with blog posts yesterday that talked about lack of skilled crew to handle the surge in tourism to Antarctica. I read one report that said that there was a 20% increase in tourist activity to the region in the past year. There were 35,000 tourists to the region - that’s a lot considering that the ice-strengthened allow 198 passengers in one ship, and there are really only 2-3 months of safer travelling with less ice in the Northwestern part of Antarctica.
Here are some of my remaining questions:
What is the difference between Explorer II, now called the Minerva, and the old Explorer?
What is the difference between ice-strengthened ships and ice breakers?
How do I learn about the safety record of the cruiseliner I’m going on, in two weeks, to Antarctica?
I’ve read about the Lloyds List, but need to find out more info.Cruise safety records indicate some failed maintenance checks on GAP’s Explorer in the past year.
Review related articles & podcasts:
Washington Post on Explorer Cruiseliner Sinking in Antarctica
Salt Lake Tribune on Antarctica Passengers Return to Safety
Yahoo Sky News References 1st Report of Larger Damage to Explorer Ship Than Originally Thought
Lloyd’s List Talks About Antarctic Charting Inaccuracy and Need for Updates (7-day free trial available)
23rd November 2007
Antarctica Cruise Ship Explorer G.A.P Expedition Sinks 2 replies
Less than Two Weeks from Today I Leave for Antarctica - and a Cruise Liner Hits an Iceberg in Antarctica Today
No Worries, Right?
I spent my Thanksgiving with friends, and then came home and had a restless night. I was thinking about work, my trip to Antarctica and client projects between the hours of 2 and 5 a.m. I sleep in, sort of, and then in between walks with Lucky and Cody, read Slicing the Silence the entire day, which is about Antarctica expeditions, failed and successful. Meanwhile, the Explorer formerly owned by A&K, now owned by G.A.P. Expeditions, is running into an iceberg in the South Shetland Islands. My girlfriend, Alicia, informs me tonight on the topic. I’ve personally enjoyed a day without news or CNN. I go online, Google the topic, and immediately check my email and sure enough see an email from my mom about the topic.
News is sparse on the topic, relatively. If you Google “shetland islands”, you’ll see more news on the topic than if you Google Explorer Antarctica.
The cruise liner, Explorer, run by G.A.P. Expeditions, was formerly owned by Abercrombie & Kent (A&K). My friend Alicia notes that Explorer II of A&K is now the “Minerva”. Coincidence, right? I do try to keep my blogs pretty clean, but can I say “holy fuck?” I’m of course still determined to go, but here I am reading about ship expeditions that have not made it and others that have, and I’m now hearing about the earlier version of this ship going down.
Pictures tell more than words do. You should see the Explorer on the ice sinking. My first reaction - well, shock. Second reaction, okay I’m still going. Third reaction, don’t ask. Fourth reaction - sadness. M/S Explorer has now sunk. This is very sad. She was quite famous.
There are numerous stories coming out on the details, with pictures and videos. There is also a lot of criticism regarding tourism in the Antarctic region. The Explorer originated in 1969, and had less than 100 passengers on board, which is hardly the Royal Caribbean of 1,000 passengers or more. It is concerning, however, and yet miraculous that all made it out alive. Weather conditions in this area are known to be quite bad, so it’s quite amazing that all made it out alive. Apparently, most did not have wallets or passports with them. Note to self: wear identification belt at all times.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1294031,00.html
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=128079
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/
Tourists-rescued-as-ship-holed.3519897.jp17th November 2007
Apathy - Are You Apathetic?
Do You Know What Apathy Is?
After dinner tonight with a colleague, I started to drive home and found myself sitting in a movie theater watching Lions for Lambs, which stars Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise and Robert Redford. All of these actors are true performers, all inspire thought-provoking discussions as a result of many of their movies, and no, Mission Impossible is not one of those movie series that inspires thought-provoking discussions.
I had heard the movie didn’t do well in its opening weekend, and was disappointed to hear that considering the all-star line-up. I had seen the previews and it looked good to me. I’m a sucker for both Redford and Cruise, and have always, always wanted to meet Redford. I love what he’s done for Sundance, Utah, environmentalism, independent filmmakers, and his many causes for action. He inspires. I saw Redford last year speak at Ohio State’s Wexner Center and was enthralled by his presence in the room. He leads and inspires me to action. He makes me think. He’s opinionated but takes action. He does more than pontificate, bitch or whine.
Cruise gets a bad wrap due to his Scientology connection, but personally I like the guy - I think he’s an excellent actor. He’s had a few dark movies but he has the medium to communicate and in most cases seems to choose it to tell a story, to communicate with the masses. He’s intense and he’s so frickin hot. There is not one bad shot of this guy - you can’t make this guy look bad - you just can’t. Yummy.
Meryl - she’s a legend. I’ve watched her for many years and have always been mesmerized by her performances. She’s great in this movie.
The movie is brilliant but I’ll warn you - it kinda ticks you off at the end. In fact, some people who look for happy endings - they’ll be really disappointed. You’re left wondering, saying, don’t you dare end this movie at this point, no, no, no.
Redford does not share the screen with Cruise or Streep. The latter two have an intense conversation meanwhile action is taking place in Afghanistan that Cruise is enabling Streep to write about exclusively. The conversation is about Iraq, Vietnam, terrorism, Bin Ladin, mistakes made, how the Americans are not experiencing proud moments, and how we the press are just not able to believe in our leadership anymore. Cruise says that the press was part of making the story happen, part of making Iraq happen, part of “selling” it to the American people. And Cruise is offering Streep a new story, an exclusive on a new initiative in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile Redford is teaching an apathetic college kid at “some university in California”. Redford is a poli sci professor - a Dr, a Ph.D. I’m loving this because of my latest role in life at Ohio State, and my ongoing desire to coach millenials to be better employees and participate in life as good voting citizens.
The dialogue in this movie is excellent. The action in Afghanistan is excellent - but there are parts of the movie that inspire you to think about apathy - because that’s what it appears Redford is enraged or perhaps a little apathetic himself. He questions why a lead student just stops going to class. Cruise references the Tipping Point. If you’ve read the Tipping Point, there is reference to how some people are leaders and lead others to action in masses. Paul Revere led others to action - there was cause for action. While others told the story of the British invasion and little were inspired to act. But what made Revere different? Why did he cause so many to act? What caused him to act on the behalf of others?
In the movie, there are obvious statements made about our apathetic college kids, as well as additional observations made where multiple interpretations could occur depending on your own viewpoint. Redford takes a full hour to communicate with a student with whom he identifies, just as Cruise takes a full hour to talk with Streep. Both are lobbying for one hour to motivate and inspire others to act. The question is how does the apathetic kid react? Does he begin to question again what goes on around him? Does he realize that his apathethic roommate who is obsessing about the 40 inch flat screen tv over a Paris or Britney-like persona? There is some reference to the person who obsesses over his or her grades and has no clue about what’s happening in the world.
I have always liked going to movies that cause me to think about something bigger than me. I know some people who refuse to go to that type of movie because they don’t want to have to think. Perhaps that’s why I like being a Christian, like being around the ocean, and want to see first-hand what’s happening in the Antarctica. All of these things represent something bigger than me. They all represent history. They existed before me and will long after me. Well, I can’t guarantee that the Antarctica will exist long after me in its current form, which is why I’m going to see, photograph and video record its current and yet changing state of being.
Apathy is an interesting word and it’s the first word that came to mind at the end of this movie. It’s a close relation to apathetic, which is also very close to “pathetic”. Some lack emotion or feel no cause to act because their leaders fail to inspire and lead by example. There is reference to this in Lions for Lambs by the apathetic college kid, who’s brilliant but ininspired. What’s good though - is that Redford gets to the kid, visibly, at the end of the movie. The question is what will the kid do? Will he join the military, become a politician, start to vote, or does it matter, as long as does something that makes a difference? Redford taught the two Army inductees as well, who are off in Afghanistan. Perhaps Redford feels some sense of responsibility regarding the two former students for their outcome, and tries to inspire another perhaps in a different way - and that’s what’s hard to find out. But must we know the outcome?
We are inspired to think, at least some of us are. We may be inspired to act, perhaps. More importantly, we should act on our beliefs, our passion, and our knowledge. We should impact not just one at a time. We should impact groups, and even some are able to impact the masses. That’s what a blogger can do today. The question is whether you will use your medium to inspire others, or sit back and lose yourself in the Entertainment channel, or watch Survivor in China.
Act on behalf of others, and inspire many to act. I choose to act on the behalf of others by leading a company, teaching students, coaching millenials, rescuing animals, and blogging about the environment. I choose to go to Antarctica not to go to Hawaii. I choose to tell a story through a mass-medium to increase environmental awareness. What about you?
16th November 2007
Carbon Offsetting : Antarctica Cruise, Airfare
Carbon Offsetting: Antarctica Cruise
The purpose of the Antarctica cruise is to observe environmental and climate changes firsthand. I’ve heard about, read and seen pictures of the icecaps melting, penguins dying, and ice shelfs dissolving. If an entire ecosystem thrives on the ice, what happens when the ice is gone? Does our curiosity to travel there and visualize the changes make things worse?I say it depends on how you get there, and what you do to impact climate change awareness? Isn’t that an offset in itself? Perhaps not. I am pulling together some research on this topic and will continue to add data as I collect it. Carbon offsets are often referred to when discussing air travel. Airplane jet travel creates those white “trails” in the atmosphere and contributes to additional gas emissions. Some people like to pay their carbon offsetting tax by contributing money to organizations that offer to plant trees. However, it appears based on some recent surface research that this is somewhat criticized. I need to read about this more before I pontificate further on the reforestation concept.
As I mentioned in my carbon offsetting post this week, my air travel should create nearly 5 tons of carbon dioxide, which will get released into the atmosphere. Five tons seems like a lot - what does five tons look like? I wonder how accurate those emission calculators are.
The cruise line, Abercrombie & Kent, has a medium sized ship for this trip, which should lower the emissions I would imagine, however, cruises in general are notorious for contributing to water pollution and much more. However, our ship while some may be tourists, has many research scientists, naturalists, ornithologists and lecturers aboard, one of whom is taking a digital camera to Palmer Research Station.
I plan to blog, and videoblog the passage, landing, and much more to tell colleagues, businesses and press what’s occurring from the non-scientist’s perspective, the non-press perspective. And, I plan to post to YouTube and our site.
13th November 2007
Antarctica Cruise : What’s My Carbon Footprint Calculation? 1 reply
How much carbon dioxide (CO2) gets released into the air as a result of my trip to Antarctica?
According to the site shown below, my air travel from ORD to Ushuaia, AR releases over five tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Now offsetting is cheap - perhaps too cheap - almost makes you wonder. According to the source listed here, my offset costs just under $80 for 5 tones of CO2. What really happens to the money? Does it impact anything?
I’m going to discuss carbon offsetting in the coming days and weeks, and where to go to calculate your carbon footprint, and how much the cruise itself contributes. Does our cruise offset, or is this whole topic a bunch of penguin poo?
12th November 2007
Abercrombie & Kent: The Antarctica Cruise Ship: Minerva (formerly Explorer II)
After reading and blogging about Drake Passage, and noting the Abercrombie & Kent’s Explorer II (as of 11/23/07 the “Minerva”) name, I began to wonder about Antarctica shipwrecks, and the Abercrombie cruise ship’s reputation. So I did a little research:
The Old Explorer - what happened to it?
Update on November 23, 2007: This ship ran into an iceberg today, November 23, 2007. It’s currently sinking in the Antarctica. Thankfully no one was hurt.
A&K has renamed their ship to Minerva. As of today, the Explorer II is now officially the Minerva. Is there a correlation? I’m all for good luck, and offsetting superstitions. So, if a ship sinks, do we want to rename second editions to no longer carry the old name? I spent the day after Thanksgiving reading about previous explorers to Antarctica, meanwhile this ship was in distress. How awful for the crew and cruisers aboard the Explorer (I).
Previous post before the 23rd of November:
I’m pretty sure the old Explorer was refurbished and is now in use by two other cruiselines. According to Google Books, the old Explorer was called the Lindblad Explorer (1969). Explorer Shipping took over, and then Abercrombie & Kent took over the ship. However, I’ll have to defer to A&K on accuracy here. I’d love a comment from them on whether this is true, and any historical resources they can offer on the original Explorer. It appears it was refurbished, according to Google Book entry linked above, in 2004, and is owned by GAP Shipping Co, and led by the infamous Captain Uli Demel. GAP Expeditions offers cruises aboard the Explorer. It was the first cruise ship to ever go to Antarctica making it quite famous. I noticed that they became a member in 2006 of IAATO, International Assoc of Antarctic Tour Operators, which advocates for safe and environmentally responsible visits to the Great White Continent of Antarctica.
The Explorer II: What’s the word on the street?
Nice CruiseReport.com info that talks about the Abercrombie & Kent Explorer II (1996). Talks about the cabins, what to wear, and what to expect. For a look at the deck floor plan, you can see where I’ll be - currently I’ll be on B deck because that’s all that was left. However, they mentioned a new room is available, with a larger picture window - it’s on the A deck but that’s another $1k. Ugh. I doubt it will still be available if I close two of the three large projects sitting on my desk for closure. But if I close two of the three, I’m definitely asking for an upgrade if one still exists.
Here’s another site that talks about Explorer II to Antarctica - The Travel Goddess.
Whew! Cruise Critic gives Antarctica’s Explorer II Best Medium Ship Award. Nice place for singles…. hmmmm.
Did you know what “glamping” is? Glamping, is glamorous camping as stated by BusinessWeek’s Courtney Weaver, and the reference includes Abercrombie & Kent’s Antarctica Explorer II.
So thus far - everything is looking pretty good for Abercrombie & Kent’s Explorer II cruise to Antarctica. I’m totally nervous about Drake Passage, but for those who know I’m always good for an exciting story, I can only hope that I have at least one good story to tell upon return. And, if I’m lucky, I’ll be telling the story live from the ship, through the use of some good friends who make live mobile media happen all the time.
11th November 2007
Antarctica Cruise Facts : December 2007
Have You Ever Been to Antarctica?
I’d like to hear from you about your experience - please post comments belowIt’s less than a month before I depart for Antarctica and I am so incredibly excited. The numbers of interested, fascinated, and in awe colleagues are growing. “It’s the trip of a lifetime” is the most common remark, followed by “awfully expensive, isn’t it?, and how do you get there?”
On cost, it’s not cheap getting to Antarctica but for those of us who had parents or friends who went to Alaska, this doesn’t seem that much more expensive. I’ve heard of people spending nearly $10k for an Alaskan cruise and excursions, and as much as $50k to go on safari in Africa, so if you’re wondering how much it costs to get to Antarctica, read on:
Abercrombie & Kent’s Antarctica Cruise - single occupancy rates - $7500 by the time you pay for the B cabin, which is second to A cabins, including port charges and insurance. This does not include mandatory evacuation insurance, or airfare and hotel back and forth to Argentina. Double occupancy could be as much as $15k by the time you add in port charges and insurance.
I was able to use 100,000 frequent flyer miles to fly to Argentina, so it’s only costing around $300 for airfare. If I had booked with Abercrombie & Kent (A&K)’s adventure cruise, it would have cost around $600 or so for the airfare. I’m not sure if the Hyatt hotel before we depart from Argentina is included or not. I’ll have to check on that and come back to that one.
Some are asking how do I get to Antarctica? I fly from Chicago to Miami to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
From Buenos Aires, I’ll have one day to rest and catch my breath. Then I fly very, very early from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, Argentina, from where the Abercrombie & Kent Antarctica cruise will depart (see map below). I’ve learned about the infamous Drake Passage which is the next part of the voyage, and perhaps harder than being in Antarctica itself, depending on which part of Drake you get. I will continue to post more on this throughout the coming days.
9th November 2007
Is Antarctica on the Horizon? A Mobile Global Warming, Climate Change Observatory
If I’m lucky enough to get the ticket, I may be on an Antarctica trip to observe climate change and global warming in a few weeks.
Details to be posted soon. And, I got the ticket…..
