From the latest Mountain Club of SA newsletter...

8.4) ANTARCTICA: Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE), who is handling
the logistics for expeditions flying in from Punta Arenas, Chile, will be
operating from a new blue-ice runway and re-furbished camp at Union Glacier
(79° 45'S 083° 14'W),  70km north-west of their runway of the past 20 years,
Patriot Hills, which will now become their secondary runway. The new, into
wind runway will allow a more predictable flight schedule, less likelihood
of delays and enhanced logistic support in Antarctica.
         A new Union Glacier Camp has been located at the base of Mt Rossman,
8km from the runway. The camp setting is spectacular. Scenic peaks rise in
all directions providing many opportunities for technical climbing, scenic
hikes, and ski touring. Surprisingly for Antarctica, there is often little
wind at camp, providing a comfortable environment to relax and take it all
in. On landing, guests will be directed to a new heated passenger terminal,
where they will pick up a shuttle service to the camp. Two new,
specially-adapted 4x4 passenger vans will be used for passenger shuttles.
The completely refurbished base camp now offers the height of Antarctic
field comforts for up to 80 guests. ALE has made a significant investment in
infrastructure and at each stage of the planning process has considered how
to improve environmental standards; enhance guests’ experience; and improve
operational efficiency. Complimentary meal service is now provided in the
Guide Complex at Union Glacier Camp for Guide Companies, expeditions, and
non-guided groups.     Union Glacier is an active glacier with a number of
crevassed areas, so they have groomed and marked a snow road network around
the camp and blue-ice runway, and to the main areas for guest activities.
The whole area will be zoned to indicate safe and unsafe areas to work and
travel.
http://www.explorersweb.com/everest_k2/news.php?id=19758

Hi All,

See below for links to reports on a recently published study on
flipper-bands and king penguins. But also see below comments by Les
Underhill of UCT (reproduced with permission) on the study and attached the
relevant paper.

Greg


Reliability of flipper-banded penguins as indicators of climate change
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v469/n7329/full/nature09630.html

Flipper Bands Harm Penguins:
http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/01/flipper-bands-harm-penguins.ht
ml?ref=hp

Band of bothers:
http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110112/full/news.2011.15.html



hi team --- assorted people, some who have been pretty biased and
single-minded, have tried to find a detrimental effect of flipper bands on
survival/breeding success of african penguins --- as far as i am aware, all
have failed to find an effect, and the studies in south america have failed
likewise --- somehow or other, the four spheniscus penguins seem to cope
with flipper bands better than other penguin species --- maybe, the way the
flipper is attached to the body of spheniscus penguins is subtly different
to the antarctic species --- peter barham and i are looking into this ---

--- the fundamental flaw in this paper (and scientists make this error over
and over again, and it ought to have been picked up by referees) is to
generalize --- they leap to the conclusion that because they have found a
problem in one species of penguin, this must therefore apply to all species
of penguin --- the moral of the story is that papers in Nature sometimes get
things wrong ---

--- the Nature paper fails to cite several important studies, including the
one that is attached --- les

http://www.dieburger.com/Buite/Nuus/Antarktika-rob-by-Pearly-Beach-gevind-20
110207-2

Thanks to Marienne De Villiers for the attached flyer.

Greg

 

Thanks to Marienne De Villiers for the attached flyer.

Greg

-- Edgar Karl Haberer, Commendatore "pro Merito Melitensi" SMOM
Präsident "Internationale ArGe SMOM-Philatelie e.V."
President "International Study-Group SMOM-Philately, Reg.Soc."
Mitglied / Member: A.I.J.P. - 1398
Association Internationales des Journalistes Philatéliques
Zitzergasse 11
61250 Usingen
Deutschland / Germany
Tel.: +49-6081-688.991
Mobil: +49-160-83.11.549
Fax: 49 03212 18 07 950
www.arge-smom-philatelie-ev.org
BDPh / VPhA Membership 16.051

Please find attached information on a studentship offered by the Natural
Environment Research Council (NERC) and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS).
Closing date for applications: 14 March 2011.



This NERC PhD studentship is linked to the BAS core science programme
"Ecosystems" and to the international programme "Integrating Climate and
Ecosystem Dynamics in the Southern Ocean" (ICED: http://www.iced.ac.uk/).
The PhD student will be based at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge and
will regularly visit the University of York. This is a modelling and
mathematical analysis project. The ideal student will have a high degree of
mathematical expertise indicated by an excellent degree in mathematics or
mathematical biology, and a demonstrated understanding of ecological
problems.

Hi All

John Cooper writes to say:

"Also searching for pics of the donkey, goats, geese, fox terrier, pigs and
'Piet de Pappegaai' (an African Grey) that all lived at Marion once."

Greg

Hi All,

John Cooper writes"


"Great to get in touch with Edgar Haberer, got brill pics of pet cats from
him, as well as of Funk and McNish (both geographical feature names, so
needed for the historical gazetteer I'm writing).

Now I need a pic, and e-mail address, for  J.H.B. 'Oppie' Coetzee of
"Hoppies Hell" (Radio Technician, 29th team, 1972/73), the last PEIs
geographical feature to be named after a person.  Perhaps Valdon Smith may
still be in touch with him, they were on the island together.  Can extract
him from his team photo otherwise.

Yrs, John"

Perhaps a island or Antarctic meteorologist will be interested in the post
below.

Greg




-----Original Message-----
From: Sancor [mailto:Sancor@...]
Sent: 07 March 2011 11:30 AM
To: sancor@...
Subject: Vacancy for a Meteorologist/Weather Anchor (e-tv)

Dear All



Please find information below on a vacancy for a Meteorologist/Weather
Anchor.



Closing date: 11 March 2011



Regards,



Carmen



________________________________

Hello and a warm greeting to everyone on this email list. I do hope you are
well and that your respective companies aren't working you too hard.



For anyone who may have forgotten, this is Derek Van Dam from e.tv Weather.
I have compiled this email list over the years, of the people I know whom
are involved in the sciences in some capacity. I am writing to you with a
small request. I currently have an opening within my weather department for
an on-air meteorologist. It would be fantastic if you could send this
information to anyone that you know who may fit the job description below. I
have also attached the job description in word format for your convenience.
Thank you for your time.



Meteorologist/Weather Anchor

.        Reporting to the HOD: Weather your Key performance areas will
include:

.        Analyzing meteorological data to determine weather forecasts

.        Creating Weather or science related graphics

.        Interfacing with the technology at our disposal and assisting in
maximizing its potential

.        Presenting live and pre-recorded weather reports

.        Providing forecasts for the eNews Channel, e.tv & eNews Africa

.        Contributing to and compiling/editing of special weather or science
related reports

.        Covering breaking weather events live.

.        Performing interviews

.        Educating through public interaction and/or events



Job Requirements:



.        A Degree in the field of Atmospheric Sciences or related fields

.        An excellent command of the English language

.        Weather forecasting experience is a plus

.        Confidence in public speaking

.        Willingness to work shifts

.        Must also be able to write and voice stories



Note:

.         The successful candidate will be required to work irregular and
long hours, including weekends, public holidays and standby shifts.



If you possess the criteria and qualifications stated, please send a
motivation letter together with a detailed CV to the HR Department at
Jobs@...

Closing date: Friday, 11 March 2011.

Only shortlisted applicants who meet the criteria will be contacted. If you
have not received a response 14 days after the closing date, please assume
that your application was not successful.



All the best,



Derek Van Dam

cid:DADZIWSDVCZP.IMAGE.gif

Derek van Dam

Head of Weather Department

________________________________



Distributed by:



Carmen Visser

South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research (SANCOR)

SANCOR Secretariat

website: http://sancor.nrf.ac.za/ <http://sancor.nrf.ac.za/>
tel:   (021) 402 3536
cell:  083 268 3804

fax: (021) 402 3675
Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8012

My new e-mail address is sancor@...



Disclaimer:
SANCOR's main function is to disseminate information. SANCOR encourages
robust, indeed provocative debate about any matters relevant to the Marine
Science community. The views and opinions expressed in all e-mails
and/attachments forwarded through SANCOR are not a reflection of the views
of SANCOR or the SANCOR Secretariat.

SANCOR's activities are made possible through financial contributions from
the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the
National Research Foundation (NRF).

See attached advert.

There is an unmarked white-painted wooden cross between the Base and Gentoo Lake
at Marion that has been there for many years (note it is not the cross that has
marked the grave of Joseph Daniels that is close to Trypot Beach).

It might comemmorate the drownings in Transvaal Cove of either Petty Officer
J.G. Bold in April 1956 (body buried at sea) or Joseph Frank Wheeler on 14 April
1963 (body returned to Cape Town) but so far no information has been found to
solve this mystery.

Can anyone help?

John Cooper, (please reply to john.cooper61@...)

I am looking for pictures of the forced landing of Henri Chorosz in his Glasair
II SFT aeroplane on 24 November 2002 on Marion Island.

Any member of Team 59 (2002/03) who can help with pics (stil or video)taken at
the time of the crash of the 'plane and/or of Henri or shortly afterwards please
e-mail me on john.cooper61@....

I am also keen to find pictures of the French Navy ship Albatros while at Marion
on 12 December when it collected Henri and took him to Reunion.

Pictures will be archived as part of the SANAP Saving Antarctic Legacy Project.
Permission will be requested before they are used in any publication and full
acknowledgement will be given.

John Cooper

Thanks to Christine for the following link:

http://www.tristandc.com/newsmsoliva.php

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Report 08.00 Wednesday 16th March 2011
MS Oliva runs aground on Nightingale Island

At 0700 this morning Tristan received news from the Ovenstones fishing
vessel MV Edinburgh that the MS Oliva had run aground on Nightingale
Island. All on board are OK but the ship is well and truly stuck at
Spinners Point, a rocky promontory on Nightingale's rugged northern
coast.

The vessel is a 75,300 tonne bulk carrier (length 225 m, beam 32m) en
route from Santos in Brazil to Singapore carrying soya beans. The ship
was commissioned in 2009, is registered in Malta, has a call sign
9HA2075 and IMO 9413705.

Concern for Crew
Sean Burns reports that Tristan's main concern is the safety of the crew
and it is understood that a voluntary evacuation of ten of the 22 crew
on board to MV Edinburgh was taking place this afternoon with the
agreement of the masters of both ships. The ship's operators are based
in Greece and there is 1 Greek and 21 Filipino crew on board. MV
Edinburgh is standing by to assist until the salvage vessel gets here in
four to five days time.
Environmental Threat
There is no evidence of any fuel or other pollution, but of course the
Tristan community is very concerned about the impact this might have on
the environment. The Tristan Government has ben in touch with
environmental agencies and it is good news that the salvage team
includes an environmental adviser. The Government is also concerned
about any impact on the fishery but were relieved to hear that the
ballast tanks, 4 of which are damaged, were in fact empty. The Tristan
Conservation Department is preparing to send over a team to place bait
stations in case any rats get ashore although ship's owners have made an
assurance that none are on board.



--
Beneke de Wet
Planet Earth
The Universe
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hug a tree, kiss a dolphin, eat plenty bacon and always drink enough
red wine.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi All

Thanks to Marienne De Villiers for the message below and the attached pic:

A conservation handbook for the PEIs was commissioned by Directorate:
Antarctica and Islands and written by Steven Chown, John Cooper and me. It
is a user-friendly (we hope) guide to the new managment plan, and everyone
who goes down to the island will be given a copy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9421000/9421647.stm

Hi All

Thanks to Marienne de Villiers for forwarding the following message from
Alan Robertson. It comes with two photos which are probably too large to
make it through the list server. If they don't reach you and you would like
to see them, let me know and I'll send copies direct.

Greg


Update on the construction of the new ship, for South_SA

>>> "Alan Robertson" <arconser@...> 15/04/2011 08:06 >>>

Good morning all

I attach a couple of pic of the new ship, now rapidly taking place in Rauma.
The first is this mornings webcam shot, take at about 07:20. The most
forward section is the No. 2 hold lower section. The top half will go on in
the next day or so.  When placed into the dock, each block is complete in
terms of pipe work, cable trays etc and all tanks are painted with bulk
heads requiring only top coating.  The second is a shot I took on April 1
when the last of the four big Generator sets was going in - still suspended
from the crane.

All 26 blocks are now under construction, of which 10 are already in the
building dock.  Launch is still on schedule for 21 July.  Sea Trials are to
take place in mid January 2012.

We now have three people in the yard full time and the team will grow
steadily in size from the beginning of May.

The NDS software is being developed by Derek Needham at FRS and we hope to
have a presentation on the first draft in the very near future.  FRS is also
building the large rosette frame.

The laboratories are all under construction and are spread amongst three
blocks.  They are just steel at present, but have been into the
environmental hangar - it is fairly big!

Pop in and have a look at where we are if you visit East Pier. Please pass
this mail on to anyone you think may be interested.

rgds
alan

Hi All

Thanks to Marienne de Villiers for forwarding the following email from Alan
Robertson:

Good morning all

The Minister announced in Parliament yesterday that the new polar ship will
be named S.A.Agulhas II.

I attach a pic taken yesterday morning with the forward accommodation block
being lowered into position.

rgds
alan

Thanks again to Marienne who has forwarding the following clarification:

Ah, seems that it may not be called the SA Agulhas II after all...

>>> "Mike Meyer" <Mmeyer@...> 21/04/2011 13:13 >>>

Hi Peter and Alan,

I think that there may be a misunderstanding here see below in the Ministers
speech. I think there is some words missing "and will be"


The department is progressing with the construction of the new vessel to
replace the old SA Agulhas 1; I am therefore pleased to announce the name of
this new state of the art vessel - the SA Agulhas II. The vessel will be
dedicated to a South African hero/heroine whose name will be announced after
engaging the family concerned.

Regards

Mike