US Coast Guard Polar Ice Operations Program AICC March
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Baby, It's Cold Outside!
Baby, It’s Cold Outside! A Tau Bate reports from the bottom of the planet on a winter of life in the long, dark night of Antarctica By Robert W. Streeter, Wyoming Alpha ’11 HE JOB TODAY IS to in. No way was I going to The United States Antarctic Program is managed by the National go check on a radar give this chance up: I’d Science Foundation. The author is employed by the Antarctic that detects auroras. actually gotten a call to Support Contract to perform work at Amundsen-Scott South t The remote interface Pole Station. He is shown outside the station during the three- work at the South Pole! from my desk in the B2 month summer season when temperatures are around -20 to -30F. I’ll never know what Pod of the elevated sta- exactly qualified me, tion indicates things are above other certainly top- probably just fine, but it’s notch applicants. I started Thursday, and an on-site my application with a check needs to be done. story about my family Were it only a couple caretaking a ranch in win- months ago in December, ter in the remote Wyo- it would be a nice ski with ming Rockies. The ranch a light jacket, tempera- (an active dude ranch in tures in the single-digit the summer season) is negatives Fahrenheit, to situated on the edge of the traverse the 750 meters Gros Ventre Wilderness, to the small elevated not far from Jackson Hole. outbuilding housing the It’s 22 miles from where electronics that power the they stop plowing the array. -
Operation Deep Freeze Deep Operation
OPERATION CASE STUDY DEEP FREEZE RESUPPLY OF MCMURDO STATION, ANTARCTICA PROJECT LOCATION: U.S. West Coast, New Zealand, and Antarctica CLIENT: National Science Foundation and US Navy VESSEL: M/V Ocean Giant DURATION: December 2017 to January 2018 CARGO Scientific equipment, ice core samples, and a year’s worth of station supplies. A total of 550 pieces of cargo, weighing in at nearly seven million pounds; including food, building supplies, vehicles, electrical equipment, and parts. OVERVIEW Resupply and return of equipment from Antarctica. The Ocean Giant was preceded by the USCGC Polar Star who cut a resupply channel through more than 60 miles of Antarctic ice in the Ross Sea. This allowed for the annual delivery of operating supplies and fuel for two of the National Science Foundation’s three U.S. research stations in Antarctica. The supplies amounted to nearly 80 percent of the materials needed for the winter period. REGION: THE ARCTIC OPERATION DEEP FREEZE CASE STUDY SYNOPSIS In December 2017, U.S. flag vessel, M/V Ocean Giant departed Port Hueneme, California, loaded with a year’s worth of supplies to support multiple activities in Antarctica. En route, she called Lyttelton, New Zealand, for fuel and to load cargo to support New Zealand’s activities in Antarctica. While underway she proceeded into the polar waters of the Ross Sea and rendezvoused with the ice breaker Polar Star for the final 60 mile transit into McMurdo Station. The channel through the Ross Sea is only navigable for two weeks a year during the southern hemisphere summer. While in McMurdo, she discharged her cargo at one of the most isolated spots in the world to a pier made from ice. -
JTF-SFA Meteorological Support for Operation DEEP FREEZE 2017-2018
Evaluation of Meteorological and Oceanographic support for Joint Task Force Support Forces Antarctica (Operation DEEP FREEZE) Captain Lauren S. Hogg 17 July 2018 Overview • Purpose of Visit • Meteorology Community, Products, and Equipment • Key Findings • JTF-SFA Commander Response Actions • Formal requests for National Science Foundation • Takeaways for Meteorological Community • Acknowledgements Purpose of Visit The goal of this visit was to observe the meteorology and oceanography (METOC) program as a whole and determine what can be done to improve support to JTF-SFA. Primary Focus Areas: • Increase safety of flight, ground, and maritime missions • Improve completion rate of intertheater missions Meteorology Community JMO Navy METOC SOPP Field Camp METOC AMRC Other Science Groups International Partners Lt Col Steven Randle SRC ASC-PAE Dr. Matthew Lazzara and LDB forecasters New Zealand Forecasters Italian Forecasters JMCC UK Forecasters 17th Operational Wx Sq AUS Forecasters ROF (Charleston) ~56 AWSs AWSs 5 Forecasters A-S South Pole Station 3 Observers Eyes-Forward McMurdo Station Observations 1 Met Manager Shackleton Glacier 1 Flight Briefer 2 Observer + 3 Forecasters Augmentee(s) McMurdo Station WAIS Divide 4 Observers 1 Observer + Augmentee(s) Williams Field 1 Observer (Night ops + Sunday) Siple Dome 0 Cert’d Observers Phoenix Field 1 Observer Meteorology in direct support of JTF-SFA (During Ops only) JTF-SFA Meteorology not located in Antarctica USAP Meteorology not directly aligned with JTF-SFA *NOTE: This was specific to the -
6560-50-P Environmental Protection Agency [Epa-Hq
This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 04/28/2021 and available online at federalregister.gov/d/2021-08842, and on govinfo.gov 6560-50-P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OW-2013-0262; FRL-10022-98-OW] Re-Issuance of a General Permit to the National Science Foundation for the Ocean Disposal of Man-Made Ice Piers from its Station at McMurdo Sound in Antarctica AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice; proposed permit. SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to re-issue a general permit under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) authorizing the National Science Foundation (NSF) to dispose of ice piers in ocean waters. Permit re-issuance is necessary because the current permit is due to expire on May 21, 2021. EPA does not propose substantive changes to the content of the current permit. DATES: Written comments on this proposed general permit will be accepted until [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: This proposed permit is identified as Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2013-0262. Submit your comments to the public docket for this proposed permit at https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. All submissions received must include the Docket ID No., and comments received may be posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. Out of an abundance of caution for members of the public and our staff, the EPA Docket Center and Reading Room are closed to the public, with limited exceptions, to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19. -
Nsf.Gov OPP: Report of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY MORE AND BETTER SCIENCE IN ANTARCTICA THROUGH INCREASED A LOGISTICAL EFFECTIVENESS Report of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel Washington, D.C. July 23, 2012 This booklet summarizes the report of the U.S. Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel, More and Better Science in Antarctica Through Increased Logistical Effectiveness. The report was completed at the request of the White House office of science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation. Copies of the full report may be obtained from David Friscic at [email protected] (phone: 703-292-8030). An electronic copy of the report may be downloaded from http://www.nsf.gov/ od/opp/usap_special_review/usap_brp/rpt/index.jsp. Cover art by Zina Deretsky. Front and back inside covers showing McMurdo’s Dry Valleys in Antarctica provided by Craig Dorman. CONTENTS Introduction ............................................ 1 The Panel ............................................... 2 Overall Assessment ................................. 3 U.S. Facilities in Antarctica ....................... 4 The Environmental Challenge .................... 7 Uncertainties in Logistics Planning ............. 8 Activities of Other Nations ....................... 9 Economic Considerations ....................... 10 Major Issues ......................................... 11 Single-Point Failure Modes ..................... 17 Recommendations ................................. 18 Concluding Observations ....................... 21 U.S. ANTARCTIC PROGRAM BLUE RIBBON PANEL WASHINGTON, -
U.S. Advance Exchange of Operational Information, 2005-2006
Advance Exchange of Operational Information on Antarctic Activities for the 2005–2006 season United States Antarctic Program Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation Advance Exchange of Operational Information on Antarctic Activities for 2005/2006 Season Country: UNITED STATES Date Submitted: October 2005 SECTION 1 SHIP OPERATIONS Commercial charter KRASIN Nov. 21, 2005 Depart Vladivostok, Russia Dec. 12-14, 2005 Port Call Lyttleton N.Z. Dec. 17 Arrive 60S Break channel and escort TERN and Tanker Feb. 5, 2006 Depart 60S in route to Vladivostok U.S. Coast Guard Breaker POLAR STAR The POLAR STAR will be in back-up support for icebreaking services if needed. M/V AMERICAN TERN Jan. 15-17, 2006 Port Call Lyttleton, NZ Jan. 24, 2006 Arrive Ice edge, McMurdo Sound Jan 25-Feb 1, 2006 At ice pier, McMurdo Sound Feb 2, 2006 Depart McMurdo Feb 13-15, 2006 Port Call Lyttleton, NZ T-5 Tanker, (One of five possible vessels. Specific name of vessel to be determined) Jan. 14, 2006 Arrive Ice Edge, McMurdo Sound Jan. 15-19, 2006 At Ice Pier, McMurdo. Re-fuel Station Jan. 19, 2006 Depart McMurdo R/V LAURENCE M. GOULD For detailed and updated schedule, log on to: http://www.polar.org/science/marine/sched_history/lmg/lmgsched.pdf R/V NATHANIEL B. PALMER For detailed and updated schedule, log on to: http://www.polar.org/science/marine/sched_history/nbp/nbpsched.pdf SECTION 2 AIR OPERATIONS Information on planned air operations (see attached sheets) SECTION 3 STATIONS a) New stations or refuges not previously notified: NONE b) Stations closed or refuges abandoned and not previously notified: NONE SECTION 4 LOGISTICS ACTIVITIES AFFECTING OTHER NATIONS a) McMurdo airstrip will be used by Italian and New Zealand C-130s and Italian Twin Otters b) McMurdo Heliport will be used by New Zealand and Italian helicopters c) Extensive air, sea and land logistic cooperative support with New Zealand d) Twin Otters to pass through Rothera (UK) upon arrival and departure from Antarctica e) Italian Twin Otter will likely pass through South Pole and McMurdo. -
Die Expedition ANT-XXIV/2
Die Expedition ANT-XXIV/2 Wochenberichte 5. Dezember 2007 13. Dezember 2007 19. Dezember 2007 29. Dezember 2007 3. Januar 2008 10. Januar 2008 16. Januar 2008 25. Januar 2008 4. Februar 2008 Überblick und Fahrtverlauf Der Schwerpunkt der wissenschaftliche Anteil der Expedition ist drei Projekten des Internationalen Polarjahres IPY gewidmet. SCACE – Synoptische Studie des Zirumantarktischen Klima- und Ökosystems – untersucht physikalische und biologische Zusammenhänge im antarktischen Zirkumpolarstrom (ACC) um die entsprechenden Mechanismen aufzuklären, die die Ozeanproduktivität und den Wassermassentransport bestimmen. SYSCO – Gekoppelte Systeme in der Tiefsee – untersucht den Einfluss der pelago-benthischen Kopplung in der Tiefsee in ausgewählten Gebieten zwischen der Subtropischen Konvergenz und dem antarktischen Kontinent. LAKRIS – Lazarevsee Krill Studie – bestimmt die Verteilungsmuster, Lebenszyklen und die Physiologie antarktischen Krills in der Lazarevsee. Eine weitere wichtige Aufgabe ist der unterstützende eisbrechende Einsatz für die zwei Transportschiffe, die Material für die neue Neumayer III Station anliefern. Zusätzlich wird Polarstern so früh die Eisbedingungen es zulassen Neumayer II mit Proviant, Material und Treibstoff für die Sommerkampagne versorgen. Fahrtverlauf: 28. November 2007 Auslaufen Kapstadt 30. November 2007: Beginn der Beobachtungen während der Fahrt 4. Dezember 2007: Beginn der Stationsarbeiten ca. 10 Dezember 2007 (abhängig von der Eisbedeckung): Versorgung Neumayer 28.Januar 2008: Ende der Stationsarbeiten -
The Antarctic Sun, December 25, 2005
December 25, 2005 Scientists seek to label whale species By Steven Profaizer Sun staff Patches of pure white splashed on an inky black body. Two-meter-tall dorsal fin slicing through the water’s surface. An attraction at SeaWorld. A pack hunter with cunning intelligence and stunning power. The killer whale, or orca, is one of the most universally known animals in the world. They are also one of the most wide- spread mammals, second only to humans, and inhabit all of the world’s oceans. Yet scientists are still working to deter- mine how many species of killer whales exist. Only one species is currently rec- ognized, but many people, including researcher Robert Pitman, believe there may be two additional species among the estimated 20,000 to 80,000 killer whales that inhabit Antarctic waters. Pitman is far from the first to believe this: Soviet 5 Union whalers in the early 1980s first Deep Freeze turns 0 observed the killer whales’ differences in diet, preferred habitat and coloring. He By Emily Stone does, however, hope to be part of the team Sun staff that finally solves the mystery. Al Hisey spent one of his first nights at McMurdo Station by accident. Pitman, of the National Oceanic and It was 1955, and he was ferrying supplies by tractor from Navy ships across the Atmospheric Administration, led a team sea ice of McMurdo Sound to the spot on Ross Island where the station was being to Antarctica last year on a two-week mis- built. During one of the first trips, there was a major break in the ice between the sion that used sophisticated technology to fledgling station and the ships. -
The Antarctic Sun, January 8, 2006
January 8, 2006 New picture at Pole operations Ice claims By Peter Rejcek Sun staff many lives At 1 p.m. on Dec. 26, Neil Conant put himself out of a job when he announced that over time the transition of the operations By Steven Profaizer center from under the South Sun staff Pole Dome to the new elevated “Today was the day I station was complete. would give anything in The veteran communica- this world to turn back.” tions operator was temporar- So starts Charles ily brought to Antarctica to Bevilacqua’s Jan. 6, 1956 help operate the old ops center journal entry. That was while the new one was brought the day he witnessed the online. Conant was philosophi- death of a young Navy cal about witnessing the end of tractor driver, Richard an era. Williams, during the first “That’s progress,” he said. month of construction of “Things change.” McMurdo Station. And how they’ve changed. Throughout Antarct- The Station Operations Center Photos by Peter Rejcek / The Antarctic Sun ica’s brief history with (SOC) is the new ground zero A look at the new South Pole Station Operations Center is inset into people, it has claimed a photo of its high-tech audio/visual monitor, ringed with camera views of various areas of the station. many lives — about 60 See COMMS on page 7 of which occurred as part of the United States program in Antarctica On the Prowl over the last 50 years. Bevilacqua’s journal is just one of many similar Meteorite hunt attracts scientists accounts that tell the tale from universities around the world See DEATH on page 8 By Peter Rejcek Kelley is one of Ralph’s Harvey’s 12 so- Sun staff called meteorite hunters, a band of geologists Quote of the Week Mike Kelley studies asteroids so far and mountaineers who scour the continent’s out of reach that he needs a powerful tele- See METEORITE on page 10 scope in Hawaii to observe them. -
Summit Station Skiway Review
6 - 13 - TR L RRE C ERDC/ Engineering for Polar Operations, Logistics and Research (EPOLAR) Summit Station Skiway Review Margaret A. Knuth, Terry D. Melendy, March 2013 and Amy M. Burzynski Laboratory Research Research Engineering Engineering ld Regions Co and Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Engineering for Polar Operations, Logistics ERDC/CRREL TR-13-6 and Research (EPOLAR) February 2013 Summit Station Skiway Review Margaret A. Knuth, Terry D. Melendy, and Amy M. Burzynski Cold regions Research and Engineering Laboratory US Army Engineer Research and Development Center 72 Lyme Road Hanover, NH 03755 Final report Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Prepared for National Science Foundation, Office of Polar Programs, Arctic Research Support and Logistics Program Under Engineering for Polar Operations, Logistics and Research (EPOLAR) ERDC/CRREL TR-13-6 ii Abstract: Summit Station, located at the peak of the Greenland ice cap, is a scientific research station maintained by the National Science Founda- tion. Transportation to and from the station, for the delivery of personnel and materials, is by skied airplanes or by annual traverse. To support air- craft, the station staff uses heavy equipment to maintain a 5120.6 × 61.0 m (16,800 × 200 ft) skiway. When the station is open for the summer season, from mid-April through August, the skiway sees regular use. This report defines procedures and identifies equipment to strengthen and smooth the skiway surface. Effective skiway maintenance has the potential to help re- duce the overall skiway maintenance time, decrease the number of slides per flight period, increase ACLs, and reduce the need for Jet Assisted Take-Offs (JATO). -
A Method for Construction of an Energy-Efficient Ice Floating Pier in the Arctic Using Hardened Ice
E3S Web of Conferences 178, 01064 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202017801064 HSTED-2020 A method for construction of an energy-efficient ice floating pier in the Arctic using hardened ice G L Kagan1,*, L R Mukhametova2 and A Y Velsovskij1 1Department of Highways, Vologda State University, Lenina ul. 15, 160000, Russia 2Kazan State Power Engineering University, Kazan, Russia Abstract. This paper presents studies on increasing the ice strength using various additives. It is indicated that addition of wood fiber (artificial composition) and vegetable fiber (natural composition - frozen peat) to ice is an energy-efficient method to increase its strength. This enhances the possibilities of using ice during building and construction works in the Arctic. As an example, the authors proposed a floating ice pier design. 1 Introduction Today this material finds its application in construction. In the northern regions of Russia, ice is used to One of the directions of the Russian state program strengthen the roadbed in the winter (“winter roads”), “Socio-economic development of the Arctic zone of the however it is necessary to solve the problem of reducing Russian Federation” is to develop coastal infrastructure the coefficient of adhesion of wheel to road. during reclaiming of the Arctic zone. This work should Ice is also used in the construction of ice crossings have a fast, but at the same time rational, resource- for cars and trains. An interesting historical fact is the saving approach, so it is important to use proprietary construction of the largest railway ice crossing through technologies that make it possible to obtain energy- Lake Baikal in 1904, which connected the eastern and efficient constructions at relatively low costs. -
Federal Register/Vol. 68, No. 4/Tuesday, January 7, 2003/Notices
Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 4 / Tuesday, January 7, 2003 / Notices 775 opportunity to submit comments in significant public interest in the holding accepted until February 6, 2003. All response to public notices nor do the of a public hearing, EPA may decide to comments must be received or state’s public notice procedures include hold such a hearing. postmarked by midnight of February 6, providing public notices by mail to all Dated: December 18, 2002. 2003, or must be delivered by hand by interested parties, as required by the Bharat Mathur, the close of business of that date to the regulations. In order to partially address address specified below. this concern, the state has implemented Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5. an internet based public notice system [FR Doc. 03–285 Filed 1–6–03; 8:45 am] ADDRESSES: This proposed permit is that makes all public notices available BILLING CODE 6560–50–P identified as Docket No. OW–2002– on the MDEQ website. EPA and MDEQ 0048. Please send an original and three will be discussing additional corrective copies of your comments and enclosures actions that need to be taken to ensure ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (including references) to the ‘‘OW– that all interested persons receive timely AGENCY 2002–0048, Comment Clerk’’, Water public notices of projects requiring [FRL–7436–5] Docket (MC 4101T), U.S. Environmental CWA section 404 permits. Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania As part of our review of MDEQ’s Issuance of a General Permit to the Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460. enforcement efforts, citizen complaint National Science Foundation for the Hand deliveries should be delivered to: files were reviewed in all of the MDEQ Ocean Disposal of Man-Made Ice Piers EPA Water Docket, 1301 Constitution district offices.