Field Preparations

The K042 party spent a total of 9 days at Scott Base for survival training (2 days) and to prepare field and specialist seafloor sampling equipment.

Three ski trailers for toboggans were designed and built at Victoria University of Wellington. These were sent air cargo to Scott Base and reassembled in the garage during the first two days. Two trailers were dedicated for general scientific equipment including echosounder and generator and sampling equipment. The third trailer with wider skis and extended draw bar carried an 11 foot aluminium drill mast, 12" diameter ice aagers and hydrographic winch with 1200m of 5mm diameter wire cable.

This new equipment increased the speed and ease of sampling sea ice, proved the suitability of this type of toboggan operation and feasibility of new "up hole" equipment for sea floor photography in the future.

Equipment wintered in Antarctica was checked and some items that had been used for CIROS retrieved from Butter Point. The location and preparation of the equipment stored at Scott Base was time consuming. A separate secure store for our scientific equipment would greatly reduce time spent in preparations at Scott Base and help in planning future programmes.

The McMurdo Biolab was visited on two occasions to organise equipment for retrieval of the Rice University sediment traps. Dr Ted Delaca's party working in Explorers Cove (New Harbour) offered diving assistance to retrieve the traps if necessary.