Palmer Station SitRep for Period Ending 20 Dec 78

  1. Fuel Consumption: 1424/Tank one 99,164/Tank two 120,931/Total DFM on hand (less day tanks) 226,095/Day tanks 6,000.
  2. Station population 28/Hero 18.
  3. Power Readings: High 97.2 KVA/Low 49.2 KVA/ Avg 75.2 KVA.
  4. Weather: High temp 3C(14,15,16,17,19)/Low temp –1C(20)/Avg temp 1.4C/High pressure 997.2 MB (15) / Low pressure 979.0 MB (16) / Avg pressure 984.4 MB/peak wind 21 m/s at 20 deg (16) / Avg wind 6 m/s prevailing wind dir 20 deg/avg cld cvr 8/10 nmbr of clear days 0.3 / nmbr prtly cldy days 3.3 / nmber cldy days 3.3 / nmbr days visibility less then 400 mtrs 0.
  5. R.R.S. Bransfield weighed anchor midday on 14 Dec and steamed out of Arthur Harbor some 510 tons lighter then when she had arrived. Over 122 tons of cargo and food (nearly 10,000 cubic feet) had been off-loaded by the crewmembers of Hero, Bransfield and Palmer Station. Operations ground to a temporary halt and, after a quiet lunch, six Palmer Team 78 winterovers boarded R/V Hero for the long cruise to Montevideo. Good-byes were exchanged, horns were tooted and Hero disappeared around Bonaparte Point.
    Uncrating and sorting of resupply, and cleanup of boxes and packing material consumed many man-hours of work early in the week. John Heg coordinated the receiving and distribution of cargo, and by weeks end chaos had given way to order. The science programs in progress had received their equipment, and most of the general resupply was in the proper areas.
    Gale force winds, with gusts to 70 knots came up suddenly on Saturday the 16th, and work teams were mustered to secure cargo that had been left outside. The temperature roofs on the krill huts threatened to blow away and had to be lashed down and weighted with large rocks (Palmer’s most abundant natural resource).
    On Monday an around the clock station watch was organized by the facilities engineer, and the life support logs were initiated, Allen Cull baked a Birthday cake to celebrate the successful spawning in the krill lab.
    On 19 Dec B.A.S. Twin Otter VP-FAQ landed at Palmer to inspect a spare engine that Bransfield had delivered, and the crew of three had to R.O.N. due to bad weather. Mike Burrow started work on the rehab of the sewer line.
    Wednesday morning 20 Dec the M/V Lindblad Explorer pushed through light brash to visit Palmer. Approx. 100 passengers and crew toured the station. Palmer personnel were invited aboard the ship for lunch, and a good time was had by all. The ship left in the early afternoon and work resumed on the station plumbing and on breading out gear for upcoming projects.
    Ice continues to drift in and out of Arthur Harbor, variable weather, mostly overcast, has provided us with a taste of all the popular forms of precipitation, most recently a light dusting of snow, and we have been guaranteed a white Christmas. Holiday greetings to all.
    Konecki