15th February At Rothera Station
Since the last update in January the Sir David Attenborough has been very busy. Sadly most of the time has been spent on the extreme edge of our satellite footprint and as such I have not been able to post any updates.
Yesterday the ship arrived at Rothera and will remain here for about a week, with a number of tasks to be completed. If I have time I will update with a few photos taken during the past month or so.
Update 16th January
Since arriving at the Antarctic Peninsula there has hardly been a dull moment. I was slightly disappointed with the lack of birds on the Drakes Passage crossing as I had hoped to see much more. Whilst the birdlife has not increased in the past two days, the general views and the whale sightings have more than made up for that. Initially the SDA stopped in the Neumayer Channel to carry out some boat work, we then moved further south to stop off of Port Lockroy, formerly Base A. This is a popular stop for cruise ships and normally has a small team from the British Antarctic Heritage Trust, but not just now. This was where we had more boats in the water for training. This evening the ship continues to the south.
Humpback whales
There has been no shortage of whale sightings today. As I was on the port side taking photos of this pair, another was going down the starboard side of the ship.
Updated 19th January
The RRS Sir David Attenborough completed sea trials in November 2020 and is now fully manned by BAS personnel.
I am currently on leave but have written an update with some new photos taken during my last work period (November 2020 to January 2021) and am due to rejoin the Sir David Attenborough around 24th February
Updated 19th January
I have recently returned home following my first work period on board the Sir David Attenborough. Living on board proved to be enjoyable and it did not take long to get used to my new cabin (which has a heated bathroom floor) and the amenities on board. Due to the current Covid crisis everyone wore masks throughout the day, only allowed to remove when eating or drinking or in one’s own cabin.
Whilst the ship was being constructed I had come to the conclusion that the stairs were going to keep everyone fit. I was not wrong and have to admit that from time to time the option of taking the lift from Deck 3 to Deck 7 was very welcome.
Updated 2nd December
On Friday 27th November the RRS Sir David Attenborough was accepted by BAS/NERC and the following day the first full crew joined the ship.
The next few months will be spent preparing the ship for her next trip to sea, heading north to the Arctic and Svalbard to carry out ice trials. During our time in Holyhead the crew will be carrying out drills on a daily basis and unpacking equipment and stores, which need to be stored in the correct locations on board. Not all of the crew have been involved in the build and so for some this is the first time that they have been on board, so it is important for all to learn their way around.
The Sir David Attenborough all fast alongside Holyhead. Whilst alongside it allows all on board to learn more about the ship and prepare for our time at sea
The Conference Room with the ship model in the background.
Looking the opposite way in the Conference with a picture and bust of Sir David Attenborough taking pride of place.
The Sir David Attenborough has a dedicated boat garage, where our two Humber inflatable boats, engines and spares are kept. This makes for much easier maintenance of these very important assets which are used routinely at Bird Island and Signy plus to support science projects.
Having now been on board for a few nights I think that I have settled in and am getting used to living on board a ship once again.
Updated 20th November
The RRS Sir David Attenborough completed sea trials in November 2020. The purpose of the trials is to test that the basic functions of the ship work as they are supposed to. This includes such things as testing the propulsion and navigation systems, the life saving equipment and that such things as the Galley and the Laundries work as they should.
I will be joining the ship for the first time at the end of November, moving on board and settling into my cabin for the first time. During the first weeks on board everyone is going to have to learn the ship, which involves simple tasks like just finding ones way around the ship, to more important matters such as fire fighting drills.
Updated 30th September
The Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough has been officially named. On Thursday 26th September the ceremony was held, with Sir David Attenborough present and the ship was named by The Duchess of Cambridge. The weeks preceding this event were busy ones for everyone involved with the ship, and a large Ice Worlds exhibition had been set up for three days of celebration.
Updated 14th July
I am now back in Liverpool and working in the shipyard across the river in Birkenhead. Since my last work period the RRS Sir David Attenborough has been moved within the dock to allow another ship to arrive for refit work to be carried out. This means that if you are driving past the yard you will get a much better view of our new ship.
Much has happened whilst I have been away, including removing the protective covering on the outside of the Bridge windows, which has let daylight in and opened up the space. The bridge now looks huge! Also some of the upper hull has received a coat of white paint, contrasting with the bright red of the lower hull section.
Updated 3rd July
It has been a few months since my last update on the progress of the building of the RRS Sir David Attenborough. A lot is taking place on board the ship but it is not always possible to show this, or in fact describe, as much of the work is the technical joining up of the various systems on board.
I have been on leave for the past five weeks and am due back in the yard on 8th July and at some point during July hope to produce a further update, with some pictures, of how the ship is looking. Do keep checking the Twitter feed below as this tends to be the easiest way for me to post updates on a regular basis, along with other polar related information.