Palmer Station SitRep for Period Ending 24 Jan 79

1. Fuel Consumption: 1466/Fuel to Hero 12,988/Tank one 79,054/Tank two 120,931/Total DFM on hand (less day tanks) 199,985/Day tanks 6,000.
2. Station population 39/Hero 12
3. Power Readings: High 103.3 KVA/Low 54.0 KVA/ Avg 85.0 KVA.
4. Weather: High temp 8C(20)/Low temp 0C(19,23,24)/Avg temp 3C/High pressure .1009.8 MB (19) / Low pressure 973.2 MB (23) / Avg pressure 989.0 MB/peak wind 18 m/s at 30 deg (20)/ Avg wind 5 m/s prevailing wind dir 50 deg/avg cld cvr 9/10 nmbr of clear days 0/ nmbr prtly cldy days 1.66/ nmber cldy days 5.33 / nmbr days visibility less then 400 mtrs 0.
5. Wet and snowy weather throughout the week failed to dampen spirits at Palmer. A peak in station population has been eased by extensive field party activity and two hero cruises to Faraday Station. Ornithologists from S-012 (Parmelee) continue fieldwork from their Cormorant island encampment. Strong winds on Saturday eased just long enough for Dr. Parmelee and Neil Bernstein to return to the station to deliver the weekly science lecture.
   Dr. Murrish (S-011) and Paul Tirrell were forced to spend a night at Old Palmer on 18 Jan when ice impeded their return to Palmer.
   Hero returned from Faraday with a quantity of live krill and four DRI (S-252/S-260) personnel. The ship has been unpacking, stowing, and installing her resupply at dockside.
   Jean Lascure of the sloop Isatis presented slides and commentary of mountaineering in Nepal to Palmer and Hero personnel Friday night. Isatis sailed for Port Lockroy on 20 Jan.
   The major overhaul of the number one generator was completed 20 Jan. The 100KW (D-333) emergency generator in the Biolab building was put on line for over 24 hours while the rebuild engine underwent testing. Two brief power outages (5 min) on number one generator were traced to a faulty overspeed sensor switch. The switch and wire loom were replaced which eliminated the problem. Number two generator rebuild commenced on 22 Jan and is nearing completion.
   Mike Burrow and Pat Kraker installed a new valve system in the salt water-pumping shack to provide a better backup capability in the event of pump malfunction. Pat also repaired both clothes dryers and built a steam table for the kitchen.
   Operations Manager Mike Pavlak is coordinating the institution of the new preventative maintenance forms station wide.
   Peter Harding and George Fitzsimmons resurrected an ancient air compressor and machined several parts that put it in working order. When lined to two smaller compressors sufficient air to drive the jackhammer drill (slow but surely) is now available.
   Dr. Warburton (S-252) is compiling information regarding the electrical grounding problem and an outline of preliminary measures to alleviate RF and AC interference will be presented this week.
   John Wells began passing ice reports (from FLEWEAFAC) to the Norwegian vessel Polarsirkel 20 Jan. Palmer now furnishes these reports to six vessels operating in the Antarctic.
   Jerry Kiewatt provided temporary dental aid for one of the Hero’s crewmembers. Pat Moriarty painted one of the new Zodiacs and has been busy supporting field operations. Retrograde for Polar Star is staged and documented awaiting her arrival next month. Nights at Palmer are becoming legitimately darker as the continent swings into the shadow of planet Earth. Nice sunsets.
   Regards, Konecki