Antarctic adventure - Day 1 Drakes Passage

Antarctic Journal  Day 1  
18th January 2020

We exited the Beagle Channel during the night and when I got up the boat was rolling markedly.  

Drakes Passage between Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula has the reputation of being the roughest sea in the world.  There was a strong wind and 3 metre waves which is considered to be flat calm in these parts.   Several passengers were absent from breakfast and I subsequently learned that even the ships doctor got seasick.  I had taken Stugeron which I am sure helped but does tend to leave you feeling a bit spaced out.

During the day we had a number of briefings and lectures on photography, history and wildlife which were really interesting.   We saw a lot of seabirds including Terns, Petrels and Albatross.   I found them really difficult to photograph from the moving deck.

A visit to the bridge was interesting.   The Greg Mortimer has an ‘open bridge policy’ which meant we were free to visit at any time except when difficult manoeuvres were being made.

We were also educated about biosecurity and introduced to the ritual of the ‘Mud Room’ where we will need to decontaminate before and after every trip ashore.   All the clothes we intended to wear ashore also had to be vacuumed to remove seeds and other contaminants to protect the fragile Antarctic environment

More excellent food and company as we all got to know each other


Main picture shows the bridge (with no-one driving!).  Extras show the sea and what I think was an albatross but I am not sure what type.