EQUIPMENT

Several major items of equipment were specially built and purchased for the sediment sampling programme. The VUW Engineering Workshop built the large diameter sediment corer (sphincter corer) and accompanying sub-sample corer. Boxes for freighting the corer and samples and a specially designed motorised winch to carry the 1,000 metres of 5mm wire rope were built outside the University. The salinity temperature bridge, with 300 metres of cable, was purchased.

The Workshop also built several small items including ice pins to fasten the winch and tents on the sea ice and modified a snatch block to meter the length of cable down the hole.

It was once again necessary to borrow some equipment from other sources. A current meter was borrowed from the New Zealand Oceanographic Institute and 12 inch diameter ice augers from the Soil and Water Section (MOW). The augers did not perform satisfactorily so a set loaned by McMurdo Station was used. Also an orange peel grab from the McMurdo Biolab was used for 2 weeks. The Lands and Survey "Watts theodolite" was used to position sampling sites on the sea ice.

Antarctic Division provided logistic support which included accommodation at Scott Base, most field equipment including tents and food/fuel. Three toboggans, sledges and a Sno Trac (for 1 week) were supplied to the sea ice party. VUWAE 25 personnel were charged $35 per week for food and accommodation by Antarctic Division.

Three new sets of insulated overalls were imported as a substitute for down clothing on the sea ice. Second hand mukluks were once again bought and a down jacket hired from Antarctic Division for the summer season.