United States Antarctic Program Participant Guide 2004-2006 Edition
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UnitedUnited StatesStates AntarcticAntarctic ProgramProgram PPaarrttiicciippaanntt GGuuiiddee 22000044 –– 22000066 EEddiittiioonn National Science Foundation • 4201 Wilson Boulevard • Arlington, Virginia 22230 www.nsf.gov A QUICK GUIDE TO COMMON QUESTIONS Just how cold is it? Is there e-mail and Internet access Go to page iv in Antarctica? Go to page 58, plus: Are there ATM machines in For McMurdo Station, read page 62 Antarctica? For South Pole Station, read page 65 Go to page 21 For Palmer Station, read page 67 For research vessels, read page 70 Do I need to bring special adapters for electrical currents? Can I make phone calls from Go to page 27 Antarctica? For McMurdo Station, go to page 62 What and how much should I pack? For South Pole Station, go to page 65 Go to pages 26-29 For Palmer Station, go to page 67 For research vessels, go to page 70 What is my mailing address in Antarctica? Go to pages 63-70 All available online at www.usap.gov Compiled by Elaine Hood, April 2004. Cover photo by Kristan Hutchison. All photos are available in the Antarctic Photo Library: www.usap.gov. United States Antarctic Program Participant Guide 2004-2006 Edition NSF 04-28 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 WILSON BOULEVARD ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230 ii www.usap.gov 1-800-688-8606 U.S. Antarctic Program Participant Guide, 2004-2006 Welcome… WELCOME… NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 4201 WILSON BOULEVARD ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA 22230 Welcome to the United States Antarctic Program. As a participant in this national effort to learn more about Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, you are one of some 3,000 people who deploy each year to ships, stations, and field camps to perform or support research projects. In addition to helping you in your personal and professional objectives, this manual describes your legal responsibilities resulting from participation in the Antarctic Program. These responsibilities include actions required of you to assure the Nation’s compliance with the Antarctic Treaty, in particular provisions for protecting the environment, and to help you comply with U.S. public law and program procedures. There may be substantial civil or criminal penalties for noncompliance. Safety, environment, and health are of paramount importance. Continued vigilance and action in these areas are essential to maintain the strict standards of work in Antarctica. This U.S. Antarctic Program Participant Guide is revised every 2 years. If you know of ways to improve it, please send suggestions to us using the evaluation card at the back of this book. Scott Borg, Head Erick Chiang, Head Antarctic Sciences Section Polar Research Support Section Office of Polar Programs Office of Polar Programs This Participant Guide Program participants. It covers McMurdo, Palmer and South Pole Stations, field camps and the is your initial source of information for United States Antarctic research vessels. The information will help you prepare for your antarctic experience and point you toward other sources. Be sure to work closely with your mation and the particular requirements related to your objectives. Icons are used throughout this handbook. The lications and sources of related information. The point-of-contact indicate information that applies especially to that type of participant. for more detailed infor- Information All U.S. Antarctic Program participants—including grantees, RPSC employees, visitors, and Grantee icon directs you toward other pub- military—should use this handbook for general reference only.(scientist) Authoritative and guidance is provided in grant instruments, employment contracts, or other legally binding documents.RPSC Employee icons www.usap.gov 1-800-688-8606 iii SOME ANTARCTIC BASICS… U.S. Antarctic Program Participant Guide, 2004-2006 Some Antarctic Basics… Antarctica… This land-based continent is the highest, driest, coldest, windiest, and emptiest place on earth. An ice sheet covers approximately 98% of Antarctica. At its thickest point the ice sheet is 4,776 meters deep. This ice is approximately 90% of all the world's ice (by volume) and is 70% of all the world's fresh water. There are many penguins and abundant sea life along the coast – but there is little life on the continent, and there are no indigenous peoples. Temperatures… The mean annual temperature at South Pole Station is minus 56°F. During the austral summer, temperatures at McMurdo Station may reach as high as 50°F, while at South Pole Station, the summer temperature may reach 0°F. Palmer Station has a milder climate, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 55°F. Daylight and Darkness… Simply put, much of the area below 66.5 degrees south enjoys one long day and one long night each year – with weeks of sunrise and sunset in between. There are spectacular displays of aurora australis (southern lights) during the winter darkness. A killer whale surfaces behind Ownership… the Coast Guard No nation owns Antarctica. The Antarctic Treaty, which has been signed by 45 countries, reserves icebreaker Polar Sea in McMurdo Sound. the area south of 60 degrees south as a zone for the peaceful conduct of research. Treaty nations coor- dinate and cooperate to maximize research results and minimize logistics requirements. Size and Distance… The continent is roughly 14 million sq. kilometers (5.4 million sq. miles). The USA is smaller at 9.36 million sq. kilometers (3.6 million sq. miles). The area of sea ice around Antarctica varies from 4 million sq. kilometers (1.0 million sq. miles) in summer to 20 million sq. kilometers (7.7 million sq. miles) in winter. The distance from Washington, D.C., to McMurdo Station is approximately 14,830 kilometers (9,920 miles). Science… Antarctica provides excellent conditions for scientific research on such topics as global warming, ozone changes, climatology, earth sciences, glaciology, astronomy, UV radiation, oceanic circulation, marine ecosystems, meteorite studies, etc. History… The existence of Antarctica was only hypothesis until it was first sighted in 1820-21. No one set foot on the continent until 1895. The South Pole was first reached in 1911 and established as a year- round research station in 1956. Antarctica's history is packed full of extraordinary stories of heroism and survival. iv www.usap.gov 1-800-688-8606 U.S. Antarctic Program Participant Guide, 2004-2006 CONTENTS Contents Chapter 1 Chapter 5 U.S. Role in Antarctica Travel Guidelines History . 1 Travel Advice . 41 U.S. Expeditions, 1775-1948, Antarctic Treaty Customs and Mail Warning, Stay in Contact, Be International Geophysical Year Patient, Currency Exchange, Electrical United States Antarctic Program . 3 Compatibility, Personal Vacations U.S. Antarctic Policy Travel Through New Zealand . 43 Antarctic Program Structure. 5 ECW Clothing Issue, To McMurdo Station, National Science Foundation, Support Contractors, Return to New Zealand, Hiking in New Zealand Department of Defense, Department of Travel Through Chile. 47 Transportation, Department of the Interior, ECW Clothing, Baggage, To Palmer Station, Department of State, International Cooperation Return to Chile Science Proposals and Grants. 8 Travel Within Antarctica . 50 Chapter 2 Chapter 6 Before You Leave Home Working at U.S. Antarctic Program Facilities Program Requirements . 9 Safety, Health and Recreation . 53 Medical and Dental Examinations, Immunizations, Fire Safety, Required Training, Field Safety Training Privacy Act Compliance, Extreme Cold Weather (Survival School), Health Considerations, Clothing and Emergency Contact Information, Recreation and Personal Conduct, Alcohol & Travel Arrangements, Expenses Drugs, U.S. Criminal Jurisdiction Passports, Visas, and Permits . 13 Waste Management and Recycling . 57 Passports, Visas, Permits and Approvals Communications and Mail . 57 Customs . 15 Stations and Ships . 61 Customs and Your Equipment McMurdo Station, Amundsen-Scott South Pole Personal Matters. 17 Station, Palmer Station, Research Vessels Personal Finances, Income Tax, Insurance, Cash, Facility Administration. 70 Meals, and Lodging in Antarctica, RPSC Appendices Compensation and Benefits A. The Antarctic Treaty . 73 Chapter 3 B. Presidential Memorandum Regarding How and What to Pack Antarctica . 77 Baggage Allowances . 23 C. Historic Monuments in Antarctica . 79 Commercial Carriers, Flights from Christchurch D. The Metric System. 85 to McMurdo, Excess Baggage, Personal Baggage Glossary . 87 Insurance, Mailing Personal Packages, APO Privileges Index . 91 How to Pack. 26 What to Pack . 26 What Not to Pack, Baggage Organization and Labeling Storage Availability . 30 In New Zealand, In Chile Chapter 4 Conservation, Permits, and Science Cargo Antarctic Conservation Act . 31 Highlights of the Antarctic Conservation Act Getting Permits and Reporting . 34 Other Import-Export Regulations . 34 Radioactive Materials Science Cargo. 37 Sea and Air, Retrograde (Return) Science Cargo v www.usap.gov 1-800-688-8606 vi www.usap.gov 1-800-688-8606 U.S. Antarctic Program Participant Guide, 2004-2006 CHAPTER 1: U.S. Role in Antarctica CHAPTER 1: U.S. Role in Antarctica A researcher takes a break from studying Antarctic cod in McMurdo Sound to watch an Emperor penguin pass by. Today’s U.S. role in Antarctica derives from American expeditions to the region and diplo- matic initiatives that have taken place almost since the birth of the Nation. This history has led to a continuous U.S. presence in the region since the 1950s and to a consistent U.S. policy toward Antarctica that has been reaffirmed repeatedly over the decades, most