,. CREDITS Cover and Cartography by : Rose Grove~ Photographs by: A.S. Chapman, J.A. Raymond and E.L. Hor eth (USCG ) ·JOPY OF OOGUM~NT Ai SCOTT POLAR ~ESEARCH lNSTlTUTE CAMBRIDGE --- -·-- ··•·----·- ----- TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Illustrations "ii Executive Summary iii General 1 Personnel 2 Itinerary 2 Logistics 3 Procedure 3 Observations 4 ,- Leningradskaya 4 Dumont d'Urville 6 ~- Casey 9 _ Mirniy 13 -- Davis 15 / Mawson 18 Molodezhnaya 22 - Showa 25 - Novolazarevskaya 28 ✓- SANAE III 31 -/ Georg von Neumayer 34 / Halley 37 General Belgrano II 41 / ~ Vice Comodoro Marambio 43 Additional Observations 46 Summary & Conclusions 48 Addendum 48 Acknowledgments 48 REPORT OF UNITED STATES OBSERVER TEAM IN ANTARCTICA 1983 Executive Summarv In addition to promoting freedom of scientific inquiry and the exchange of scientific information, the Antarctic Tceaty pro­ hibits activities of a militacy natuce, nuclear explosions, and the disposal of radioactive waste in Antacctica. To ensure the observance of these principles, Acticle VII of the Treaty provides that each of the Consultative Parties may designate observers who shall have complete freedom of access at any time to any or all aceas of Antarctica. During the peciod January 17 to Macch 10, 1983, a team of four U.S. nationals was in Antarctica to carry out the seventh U.S. inspection of foreign research stations since the Treaty came into force in 1961. These were mostly in Eastern Antarc­ tica, a part of the continent which had not been effectively visited by a U.S. Observer Team since 1967. The Team operated fcom the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR, which was dedicated primarily to this mission . The tour was accomplished on a west­ ward ciccumnavigation of Antarctica fcom McMurdo Station to Palmer Station, both U.S. coastal research bases. Owing to the outstanding capabilities of the icebceaker and the professionalism of its crew -- and extraordinarily favorable ice and weather conditions -- the Team was able to visit fourteen stationso These included four Soviet, three Australian, two Ar­ gentine, and one each French, Japanese, South African, West ·German, and British stations. Four of these stations had nevec been visited previously by a U.S. Observec Team, and the changes at the other stations wece substantial. In addition, the Team met briefly with personnel of the ships· bearing the Indian and West German Antacctic expeditions and learned of the research programs of those countries. The Observer Team found that all nations visited were com­ plying with both the provisions and the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty and its (~greed measures./ --~--- --- - -- · - -..__. ·-- · - . _. """I::- . - ----- - -· -- - -- . - -- - . _.,,/ ..- ·' ii -- ----- ------ - - - _ ., - _____ .,,_, __ _ List of Illustrations MAP Cruise Track Polar Star Pg. 1a Fig 1 USCG Cutter Polar Star 2a 2 Leningradskaya - Aerial View 3a 3 Leningradskaya - Dormitory and Scientific Building 4a 4 Dumont d' Urville - Aerial View 5a 5 Original Casey Station Sa 6 Observer Team Chief Chapman at Casey Station 9a 7 Radio Operator - Molodezhnaya 12a 8 New Construction - Davis Station 15a 9 Milodezhnaya - Chief, Wintering-Over 27th Soviet Antarctic Expedition Galkin with Observer Teams Memb ers 22a 10 Showa Station - Aerial View 25a: 1 1 Showa Station - New Laboratory Bldg 2q_a---- - . 12 Novolazarevskaya - Aerial View 27a 13 DDR Research Center 28a / 14 SANAE III Agove - Ground Meteorological Station 31a 15 SANAE III - Dining Facility 32a 16 Goerg Von Neumayer - Aerial View 33a 17 Halley Station - New Base Under Construction 36a 18 General Belgrano II - Headquarters & Dormitory 41a 19 Vice Comodoro Marambia - Aerial View 42a 20 U.S.C.G. Helicopter at Marambio 43a 21 Second Indian Antarctic Expedition 46a 22 FRG Polar Research Vessel - POLARSTERN 47a iii REPORT OF UNITED STATES OBSERVER TEAM IN ANTARCTICA 1983 I. General This is a report on visits to selected foreign research stations in Antarctica by a team of United States observers as provided under Article VII of the Antacctic Treaty. The fact that the Government of the United States would furnish seven weeks out of the schedule of one of its most modern and powerful icebreakers foe the endeavor requires an explanation. The 1957-58 International Geophysical Year (IGY) was a major international scientific effoct which, among other accom­ plishments, ficmly established the principle of free access throughout Antarctica foe scientific purposes. The twelve na­ tions active in Antarctica during the IGY believed that the in­ formal international arrangements of the IGY wece so successful and such a substantial contribution to peace in the area that they sought to perpetuate, formalize, and enlarge on them. Following protracted negotiations in Washington, D.C., the Ant­ arctic Treaty was signed December 1, 1959. Ratification by the twelve governments followed soon thereafter, and the Treaty en­ tered into force June 23, 1961. The Antarctic Treaty establishes a basis foe international cooperation in Antarctica. It reserves Antarctica exclusively for peaceful purposes and prohibits any measures of a military natuce in the region. Nuclear explosions and disposal of radio­ active waste in Antarctica are prohibited. The Treaty promotes international scientific cooperation in Antarctica, specifically through exchange of information regarding plans for research pro­ grams, exchange of scientists among expeditions and stations, and exchange of scientific observations and results. Article VII of the Antarctic Treaty establishes procedures to promote the objectives and ensure observance of the provi­ sions of the Treaty. These aims are to be accomplished by means of onsite inspections by duly designated observers. Article VII provides that Consultative Parties may designate nationals of their countries as observers and so inform the other Consultative Parties. Observers designated in this way are to have complete freedom of access at any time to any or all areas of Antarctica. This free access specifically includes ships and aircraft at points of discharging or embarking cargoes or personnel as well as all stations, installations, and equipment in Antarctica. Aerial observation within Antarctica may also be carried out at any time. 60° 60° 90° WJ--------~i -----··· ------1 90 ° E P> ® vostok (U.S.S.A.) 120° CnBlse Track of ihe USCG Cutter POLAR Sl'AR ,, 150° 180 ° 150° - 2 - The obsecvation function is an important element in the vitality of the Antarctic Treaty system. The United States, therefore, f~om time to time exercises the right to designate official observers undec the Antarctic Tceaty. Teams of U.S. obsecvecs have been sent to Antacctica at fairly regulac intec­ vals since the Tceaty came into force. The 1983 visit was the seventh in the series, the preceding one having taken place in 1980. I I. Pe csonnel The 1983 United States Observec Team consisted of four U.S. nationals designated as U.S. Antacctic Obsecvers by the Under­ secretacy of State foe Secucity Assistance, Science, and Techno­ logy. The following individuals compcised the U.S. observer Team: Dr. Albect S. Chapman , U.Sc Depactment of State Mc. Ronald A. Gaiduk, U.S. Department of State CDR. Macia Kazanowska, United States Navy COL. John A. Raymond, U.S. Acms Contcol and Dis~cmament Agency Pucsuant to Acticle VII of t he Treaty, the Department of State notified the Consultative Pacties of these designations by dip­ lomatic note dated Decemb er 9, 1982. I II. Itinecary The U.S. Observer Team was in Antarctica fcom Januacy 17 to March 10, 1983. Aftec an initial orientation period which in­ cluded informal visits to McMurdo and Amundsen-Scott stations, the itineca.cy developed as follows: Date Station Countcy January 25 Leningradskaya Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Januacy 28 Dumont d'Ucville Fcance Januacy 31 Casey Australia February 2 Mi.cniy (Mi.cnyy) Union of Soviet Socialist Republics February 4 Davis Australia Febcuacy 7 Mawson Australia Febcuary 9 Molodezhnaya Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 22.. e. Fig 1 USCG Cutter Polar Star ----·- --- ----- -· - ·---· ·----- - 3 - Date Station Country Febcuacy 10 Showa (Syowa) Japan Febcuary 13 Novolazacevskaya Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Feb.cua.cy 15 SANAE III Republic of South P..fcica Februacy 16 Georg von Neumayec Federal Republic of Gecmany Febcuary 18 Halley United Kingdom February 19 Genecal Belgrano II Argentina March 3 Vicecomodoro Marambio Argentina The observation touc closed with a call at Palme.c Station of the U.S. on March 6. IV. Logistics These visits wece made possible through the capabilities of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter POLAR STAR in the course of a west- wacd circumnavigation of Antarctica from McMu.cdo Station to Palmer Station. The POLAR STAR, benefitting from an extraordinary span of benign weather, was able to penetrate coastal ice to within helicoptec or small boat cange of all stations it approached. With two helicopters, boats and other facilities, the vessel pro­ vided an admirable moving base fo.c the Observer Team. Consequently, no untoward bu.eden was placed on the facilities of the host sta­ tions~ and the visits did not, it is hoped, unduly disrupt thei.c routines oc strain theic capabilities. V. P.cocec.ure The visits we.ce undertaken to assuce the observance and to promote the objectives of the Antarctic Tceaty. The Team also looked fo.c compliance with ag.ceed measuces stemming fcom cecom­ mendations of the Antarctic T.ceaty Consultative Meetings. The Obse.cve.c Team accordingly sought to be comprehensive though___ not intrusive. In discussions with station pecsonnel, the scope and objectives of activities were elicited. Facilities, equipment, instruments, and supplies we.ce examined and photographed in suf­ ficient detail to determine genecal use oc intended purpose. The Team made a special effort to tou.c and understand the functions of any new construction taking place. Ground and aerial obser­ vations were made of each station. In many instances, station personnel appeared to be unaware that the U.S. intended to send an observer team to Antarctica - 3C.- - ,.