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90th Anniversary of Shackleton's Rescue Mission Ice Scuba Diving, Land
Exploration and Wildlife Photography
In today's race for the ultimate adventure, seasoned travelers are
looking for a journey that combines active challenges with thrilling
scenery in a unique destination. Ultimate Antarctica is a journey
designed to deliver pure adventure, spectacular scenery, and push the
envelope in sport scuba diving, while at the same time, respecting
safety and experiencing it all in semi comfort aboard 74’ state of the
art Sailboat the Pelagic Australis.
Ultimate Antarctica is a voyage of diving discoveries; an incredible
2,400 Nautical mile journey through the Southern Ocean. This 20-night
adventure, with a group of only 8 (eight) guests, will depart from
Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina on February 27, 2009. From
there, we head for the Antarctic Peninsula. We return to Ushuaia on
March 19, 2009.
This Antarctica voyage is a carefully planned and coordinated adventure,
precisely scheduled to take advantage of the short "austral summer"
season to visit the frozen continent. The scheduling is of utmost
importance in light of our ambitious scuba diving and photography
itinerary. This 20 nights voyage will be a dream come true for
photographers needing the extra time to capture the elusive "one great
shot." As a member of this expedition, you will truly be one of the
first pioneers, setting a new standard of Antarctic scuba diving with
open circuit and rebreather exploration.
Antarctica is
the coldest, windiest, driest place on earth. Some of the statistics are
simply amazing:
Annual
precipitation of less than 5 inches, all of it falling as snow. Two
-thirds of the planet's fresh water is locked up in Antarctica in the
form of ice. Antarctica is twice the size of Australia.
Antarctica is the highest continent in the world, with more than half of
the land over 6500 feet above sea level.
This
harsh environment is frequented with Katabatic winds, which can spring
up without warning, roaring across the ice at a speed of 50mph.
Surrounded by
the Southern Ocean, defined as the water between latitudes of 40-64
degrees south, uninterrupted wind circulates vigorously developing into
the notorious "roaring forties" and "furious fifties” . This interaction
between wind and sea currents creates a region of intense turbulence and
as a consequence, the Southern Ocean is richly productive ecologically.
An abundance of plankton supports the world's largest concentration of
marine wildlife. Millions of sea birds, penguins, seals and whales
appear in glorious abundance with the coming of the Southern
Hemisphere's spring season. Most forms of Antarctic life clings to the
edges of the continent, where beaches and cliffs offer snow free nesting
grounds for birds and pupping locations for seals. It is our intent on
this voyage, to see and photograph most, if not all of the available
species.
When you travel
to Antarctica you can't help but be moved.
I have been
holding a vision of this trip in my heart and soul since I made my first
trip to Antarctica in the mid-70s to deliver a boat from Australia to
Argentina via Antarctica. We encountered stormy weather at the "roaring
forties" & "furious fifties" and ended up in Chile with a broken ship -
but at least we were alive. At that time, I vowed to return to this wild
and largely unexplored continent and the mysterious waters that
surrounded it. I had never experienced such a challenging, yet rewarding
environment.
As fate would
have it, I made the return visit on a scouting trip for a diving
expedition with Skin Diver Magazine. I was thrilled with the potential
and the adventures I experienced, and was eager to share this bounty
with other adventurers. After announcing the trip to the public, we sold
out not only one, but also two departures in just 3 months. Over 40
hardy souls joined us in February & March 2003 on an exciting diving
adventure to Antarctica.
Still, I could
not stop dreaming of a true voyage of discovery to that forbidding
continent: a voyage that would pave the road for adventurers to be
exposed to the wonders of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic marine
wilderness.
Unlike
traditional scuba diving adventures, this voyage will be a unique
experience with its never-before attempted dive itinerary, extraordinary
and untouched diving & wreck sites, a challenging environment, and
exclusive wildlife both above and below the sea. So, if you're looking
for an once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the bottom of the world, join us
on Ultimate Antarctica 2009. It a life changing experience.
TRIP ITINERARY & INFORMATION
The newly built Pelagic Australis
which has evolved from 15 years experience in the Antarctic and Southern
Ocean.
Pelagic Australis can take up to 8 passengers and 4 crew in
comparatively greater comfort and speed. The vessel is equipped with the
latest Inmarsat Fleet 77 satellite communications unit which facilitates
running online and store and forward filming projects. The vessel is
certified by DNV (Det Norske Veritas), has an MCA (Marine and Coastguard
Agency from the UK) certificate for carrying passengers and is CE
marked.
Pelagic Australis was built at
Southern African Shipyards (Pty)
Ltd.
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LOA
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22.5ms
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LWL
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19.2ms
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raft min
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1.2ms
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Draft max
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3.9ms
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Sail Area
Upwind
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264sqms
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Sail Area
Downwind
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414sqms
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Disp
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48,410kgs
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Fuel:
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6500 liters
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Water:
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2500 liters
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PELAGIC AUSTRALIS
"I spent much of my younger years at sea captaining
vessels from 40' to 120' in length.
I found the
Pelagic Australis to be one of the finest, cleanest, most well organized
and
thought out
vessels that could have been constructed for arctic and Antarctic
expeditions.
It comes
with a highly professional crew that have thought out everything for
your safety,
enjoyment,
and adventure. It was the greatest voyage of my life. I must return one
day to the high latitudes and my first choice will be upon the
Pelagic Australis."
Captain Jack Frost
www.shilohplace.org
Pelagic Australis was
conceived as a successor to the present Pelagic which for the past 14
years has been based in Southern South America providing logistic
support for adventure charters. It is also intended that Pelagic II be
fast enough under sail and power to each year traverse the length of the
Atlantic in order to work the northern summer in the Arctic. This means
she should be able to achieve a 10 knot average in normal conditions.
Pelagic Australis'
principal features are an aluminium hull and deck structure specified to
be able to withstand navigation in brash ice without deforming hull
plates between frames. A fully ballasted lifting swing keel and swing
rudder will allow her to navigate in unsurveyed shallows, gain
protection from drift ice by being able to enter shallow waters and also
be able to dry out with the tide in an upright position.
Design of the
pilothouse came first and then the boat underneath it. This focal point
of the boat will have a steering station, the nav gear, chart table,
foul weather gear storage and boot locker (heated by rising air from the
heater below) and a pilot berth/settee, with enough space to have four
or five people comfortably mooching around. Outside of the watertight
door, a halfway house for three or four people gives overhead shelter
but is in direct communication with the outside steering position, the
sail control systems and a small cockpit. Here, people will be sheltered
and have room for camera equipment at the ready, safety equipment etc.
Pelagic Australis will
be able to accommodate up to twelve team members including a
professional skipper and one or possibly two crew depending on the
ability of the party.
Equipment for use by the client:
2 x 4 meter inflatable boats with 25 HP outboards
2 Dive compressor - Bauer Utilus 10 225 Bar
Bottle bank – 16 x 12 liter bottles with A frame and DIN fittings
Musto HPX foul weather gear
Rebreather divers – supply of O2 and scrubber will be
available Communication Equipment
Inmarsat Nera Fleet 77 satellite terminal – voice and data at 64 K
Inmarsat C satellite telex terminal - for email/fax store and forward
only
SSB HF radio for ship to ship comms including amateur frequencies
Irridium antenna for use with clients handset
VHF Marine radio
4 x Icom handheld VHF radios
Iridium phone with data for email
AR-SA
Expedition cost
- $26,800 per person
Deposit: Minimum of
$9000 is
required to secure your space on board the Antarctica Trip All rates are quoted per person in US$, based on twin occupancy.
US$ rates apply for all sales outside the area of the European
Union
With your
deposit, we will send you a comprehensive and detailed Trip Preparation
Bulletin about the experience and the destination.
Trip cost is are
subject to change without prior notice and also after your reservation
was confirmed, due to the fluctuation of the dollar and higher cost of
fuel. Tour price includes:
Voyage aboard the 74’ Pelagic Australis
All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks,
coffee and tea
All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by
Zodiac
All diving services, tanks and weights
Photography Presentation and Instruction
Leadership by experienced expedition staff
All miscellaneous service taxes and port charges throughout the
program.
Comprehensive pre-departure material Not included in Tour Price:
Any airfare, whether on scheduled or charter flights
Pre and post land arrangements; transfers to/from the vessel
Overnight hotel in Ushuaia before an dafter the voyage
Passport and visa expenses
Government arrival and departure taxes
Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly
recommended)
Excess baggage charges on all flights
All items of a personal nature such as laundry, meals ashore,
bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges; and the customary
gratuity at the end of the voyages for crew (guidelines will be
provided)
Additional costs incurred due to independent travel arrangements.
Rebreather divers – supply of O2 and scrubber (extra cost).
Payment Policy & Deposit:
When we receive
your deposit, we will send you a comprehensive and detailed Trip
Preparation Bulletin about the experience and the destination. Trip
costs are subject to change without prior notice also after you have
confirmed reservation. A non-refundable deposit of
$9,000 is required to secure a space on board the Expedition Full payment is due no later than 90 days before departure
We reserve the right to sell space that is not paid in full 60
days before departure Refund is made if replacement was found less unrecoverable costs
of sales, administration special promotion Cancellation must be made in writing
No refund is made for unused part of the itinerary
What to Pack for the Land Excursions:
Waterproof Back-pack for excursions
Warm (thermal) underwear
Warm trousers, such as ski pants
Warm jacket, with good wind insulation, made of materials such as
Gore-Tex
Waterproof clothes (for our sailing and for the zodiac cruises)
Warm sweaters
Mittens, gloves, and a warm cap, warm socks
Very important: warm, waterproof rubber boots. No hiking shoes,
because they will always leak on a wet underground, when leaving the
zodiacs ashore and when crossing a stream. We do not supply any extra
rubber boots onboard. You must bring your own!
Sun lotion (especially for the Antarctic) and sunglasses.
Electric current
220 V / 50 Hz. US passengers will
need a 220 V / 110 V converter. Diving
Plan on 1 to 2 dives per day "weather and ice permitting".
We are also Rebreather friendly. Diving Equipment:
All divers must have at logged at
least 20 dry suit dives.
You will need the following equipment: Dry suit with hood
Thick and warm underwater garment (2 sets), dry gloves or extra
under gloves
Freeze protected regulator
2 separate regulators, because we dive with special bottles with
two separate outlets
Stabilizing jacket or some kind of BC
Depth and pressure gauges, watch or computer
Knife
Mask, fins and snorkel
Weight belt (weights available onboard)
Rebreather divers – supply of O2 and scrubber will be
available (extra cost) Equipment Onboard:
We have our own two compressor (20 liters) and 16 steel bottles of 12
liters (DIN and Yoke connection) with two separate outlets and weights.
We do not have any rentals on board. Please make sure you pack all your
dive gear before leaving. Travel Documents:
US citizens are required to have a valid passport and round-trip air ticket.
A General Note:
Please note that the itinerary in the Antarctic is always "weather
and ice permitting.” It is always possible that because of the pack
and drift ice, a change in our sailing schedule will result. It's also
possible that certain bays or fjords are closed because of ice. In such
cases, we will re-route our voyage. Possible alterations that relate to
weather and ice conditions can never be a reason for claims, reimbursements
or whatsoever. When changing the itinerary, we can assure you that we
will do our utmost to provide the best alternate plan.
Information current as of June, 2008. Dates and prices
may be subject to change without prior notice.
For Booking and/or further questions,
contact Amos:
Phone: (415) 923-9865
Toll free: 866-423-3483
Email: 2Antarctica@biganimals.com
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EXPEDITION PROFILE
Where:
We sail from Ushuaia in Argentina to the
Antarctic Peninsula. This is an experience by itself as
we cross through the most challenging body of water in
the world the Drake Passage. We have budgeted six and up
to eight days for the round trip historical and this
life changing experience.
TRIPS IN 2009:
Life Changing
Experience
Departing from the USA
Date: Feb. 25 - March 20, 2009
Duration:
24 Days
Cost:
$26,800
We accept Rebreather divers.
Max No. of Guests:
8
Remaining Spaces: 3 only Registration:
Deposit of $9,000
Registration form
Sample roundtrip airfares to Ushuaia, Argentina:
$1130 from Miami
$1150 from NY
$1180 from LA
Facility:
From on board the uniquely designed
& equipped for diving, The 74 foot 'Pelagic Australis'.
Activities:
After the first three to four days of sailing on the highest sea, we will be delighted by the spectacular vistas of the Peninsula and the protection among its island formation, channels and passages. We planed on 12 and up to 14 days of cruising along the Antarctic peninsula. Landing among very remote penguins colonies. Visit research stations currently working and visiting old huts which accommodate the first explorers at the early 1900...we will anchor in location no other vessel ever visit and we dive at least once or twice a day as weather and ice conditions permit. Open circuit and rebreather diver are welcome. We look to dive around iceberg, with Penguins and Leopard seals as well as along walls to see the unique flora and fauna that thrive in this rich and cold freezing water.
Temperature:
In Water: 28°F
Air Temps: 10-40° F
Wind Chill Factor: 0°F and colder.
TRIP ITINERARY & INFORMATION
Day 1
Feb. 25 - depart from the USA to Buenos Aires
Argentina. Flight leaving from the USA arrives there on the next
day.
Day 2
Feb. 26 - upon arriving to Buenos Aires change
plane for your flight onward to Ushuaia. Check in at a local hotel
and have a chance to make last shopping you may need before boarding
the sailboat on the next day. This early arrival will ensure that
you will have enough time to catch your domestic flight, with your
luggage and get acclimated.
We will meet
today for lunch and dinner together with skipper and the crew and
will share with you the last details about the voyage ahead.
Day 3
Feb. 27 - we board the Pelagic Australis about 12 noon and ready to depart sailing
through the beagle channel...
Day 4, 5 and possibly 6
Feb. 28, March 1 & 2 - at sea at last - we sail south into the Drake passage sailing high on the wave in silence and class that only sailboat can deliver. We will be followed by high seas, wind and several species of albatrosses, storm petrels, shearwaters and diving petrels.
Day 7 - Day 19
March 03 - 15 - With weather and sea condition on our side we arrive to the peninsula and may start with landings in the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula may include Paulet Island, featuring the remains of polar expeditions from the beginning of the 20th century, and a colony of hundreds of thousands of Adelie Penguins. Here at the tip of the Weddell Sea we see the magnificent table icebergs. At Brown Bluff we may set foot on the Antarctic Continent in a beautiful volcanic area. At Mikkelsen Harbor at the south end of Trinity Island we can observe a Gentoo Penguin colony and Weddell and Fur Seals hauled out on the beach. In the beautiful Charlotte Bay we may again set foot on the Antarctic Continent at Portal Point, where Crabeater Seals have often been seen. Here in the Gerlache Strait we often see Humpback Whales and Minke Whales. We try to land at Baily Head (Deception Island), where 100.000 Chinstrap Penguins like in an amphitheatre surround us. From here good walkers can walk to Whalers Bay. In Whalers Bay, we can observe the remains of the Hektor whaling station from the beginning of the 20th century. We intend to visit Hannah
Point, one of the best wildlife spots in the South Shetlands, with Giant Petrels, Cape Pigeons, Blue-eyed Shag, Gentoo Penguins, Chinstrap Penguins, a few Macaroni Penguins and Elephant Seals.
We will attempt one to two exploratory dives each day. We will dive on wall, which are cleared out of ice and explore to see the flora and fauna that made a life in this freezing water. We will search for stranding and anchored iceberg so to share with you the thrill diving on wall of ice!
Surely we are not going to miss the opportunity to be diving among Gento or Chinstrap penguins as they go out or return from sea. That is also the prime time to be aware off the ambushing Leopard seals.
There are two zodiacs on board some of us will go on land while the other go for diving and two hours later we change activity.
Pelagic Australis will push and sail south as far as weather and ice permit, we have no other limitation. Since we are such an intimate team and on board such a small vessel we do not need permit and coordinate our place of anchor and visiting. Rest assured that the crew will looking to be away from all other larger cruise vessel and looking for the most interesting bays and cove to visit as long as it is safe and the ice is not going to be of a hindering the vessel movement.
Day 20 – 23
March 16 - 19 - we start turning back north and sail through the peninsula for day or so before we face again the mighty Drake passage. On our way north we are again followed by a great selection of seabirds while crossing this unique body of water. We plan to arrive sometimes on March 19.
Day 24
March 20 - We depart early morning in time to catch the connecting flight from Ushuaia to Buenos Aires. This domestic flight to Buenos Aires is scheduled to arrive in ample time to connect with the international flights to the USA or to Europe.
EXPEDITION TRAVEL
Subject to change due to ice and weather
conditions.
Ushuaia
The Falkland Islands
South Georgia
Orkneys
Iceberg Graveyard
Antarctic Peninsula
Beagle Channel
Drake Passage
South Shetland Islands
Penguin Island
King George Island
Hannah Point
Deception Island
Neptune's Bellows
Lamaire Channel
Pleneau
Petermann Island
Wiencke Island
Lockroy
Neumayer Channel
Melchior Islands
Gerlache Strait
Trinity IslandPossible
WILDLIFE
Whales:
Humpback Whales
Blue Whales
Minke Whales
Orcas
Seals:
Elephant Seals
Leopard Seals
Weddell Seals
Penguins
Adélie
Chinstrap
Gentoo
King
Macaroni
Magellanic
Rockhopper
Giant Albatross
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Most diving activity on this expedition is exploratory
and offers a fascinating first time itinerary. A minimum experience of
20 dives in a dry-suit is required. Must be an advanced diver to participate.
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