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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1998-99: VUWAE 43

CRP2 PERSONNEL

CRP2 PERSONNEL

5.1. A total of 93 people were on CRP2 in the 1998/199 season made up of:
a.Scientists and Science Technicians - 53.
b.Support Staff - 13, which included the Project Manager and the Project Liaison Officer (CRPLO).
c.Drillers - 10, made up of a Drill Manager, two Drillers and seven Assistant Drillers
d.Science Support Staff - five, made up of the Science Support Manager and four Core Technicians.
e.CRP3 Official Visitors and Media - 12, made up of three from Australia, one from Britain, four from Germany, one from Italy and three from NZ/USA
f.Maintenance/Clean-up Team January 2000 - four, made up of CRPM, Electrician, Engineer/mechanic and Engineer/Asst Plant Operator.

5.2. The 'permanent' population at Cape Roberts during drill operations (ie. October and November) was 35, made up of support staff (10), drillers (10), science support staff (5) and scientists (10). The Chief Scientist spent approximately a third of his time at Scott Base/McMurdo.

5.3. The Winfly team of nine was made up of CRPM, CRPSSM, Engineer, Mechanic, Plant Operator, Electrician, Paramedic/Camp Manager, Field Assistant/Carpenter, and Carpenter. CRPM remained at Scott Base until Mainbody, while the remaining eight people traversed to Cape Roberts in two Hagglunds all-terrain vehicles and began setting up the main camp and then the Drill Site camp.

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5.4. Personnel Deployment. CRP2 personnel deployment to Antarctica was full of disruption. Winfly flights suffered extensive delays and turnarounds. Four flights were scheduled from 20 to 26 August. The first successful flight was on 22 August and the last on 05 September. Because members of the reconnaissance team were delayed CRPM and CRPSSM decided to combine the reconnaissance phase with the set-up phase to make up for lost time. The full support team of eight travelled to Cape Roberts on 02-03 September.

5.5. Mainbody flights from NZ were also heavily disrupted. After a four-day delay the first and second flights made it on 03 and 04 October respectively before another period of delays. Local bad weather then delayed helicopter deployment to Cape Roberts, the first of the drillers not getting there till 07 October, four days behind schedule. A further six day bad-weather delay followed before key Cape Roberts-based scientists and science technicians arrived at Scott Base/McMurdo from NZ. By this time delays in getting some key items of drilling equipment (under-reamer and an electric motor) from NZ were threatening progress on sea riser deployment. Bad-weather and unservicability of aircraft caused delays of up to seven days to the planned drill schedule. However, in reality this was not as serious as it appeared because difficulties in deploying and embedding the sea riser and in establishing a regular coring routine added about six days to the schedule anyway.

5.6. The Crary Laboratory-based scientists and technicians were accommodated at Scott Base and McMurdo Station. Scott Base hosted 17*, made up of one Australian, four British, three Germans, and nine New Zealanders. Every Crary Laboratory-based scientist was encouraged to visit Cape Roberts and overnight so as to gain a fuller appreciation of the field operation. Most availed themselves of the overnight option. (*It should be noted that four of these individuals spent in excess of 10 days each at Cape Roberts.)

5.7. CRP Distinguished Visitors/Media. Nominations received for CRP official visitors were:
a.Australia:
  • Mr Ian Anderson, science journalist, New Scientist.
  • Prof Bob Carter, James Cook University, Townsville.
  • Mr Tom Maggs, Environment Manager, Australian Antarctic Division.
b.Britain:
  • Dr Michael Thomson, BAS and ISC member.
c.Germany:
  • Dr Dieter Fuetterer, AWI and OMG member.
  • Ms Monica Huch, science journalist.
  • Dr Hannes Grobe, AWI.
  • Dr Franz Tessensohn, BGR Hannover and ISC member.
d.Italy:
  • Prof Maria-Bianca Cita, University of Milan and ISC member.
e.New Zealand/USA: page 5
  • Dr Fred Davey, IGNS and ISC member.
  • Dr Jeff Fox, Director Ocean Drilling Program (ODP).
  • Mr Leon Holloway, Drilling Engineer ODP.

With the exception of Leon Holloway all the CRP Visitors came to Cape Roberts in November. An ISC meeting was held at Cape Roberts 10-12 November 1998. Tom Maggs conducted an independent environmental assessment of the Project from 02-05 November 1998.