RRS James Clark Ross

We departed from the Falklands on the evening of 12^th November. Life on board varies for the staff as not only is there the ships’ crew but also the teams being dropped off at the bases and scientists working on the RRS James Clark Ross, otherwise known as the JCR, itself. These latter utilise the JCR’s role as a research vessel in order to collect a whole range of data on the marine environment to increase our understanding of life in the Southern Ocean.

Meals were regularly supplied at 7:20, 12:00 and 18:30 each day in the galley and the majority of persons on board lived in the same type of quarters. Shared rooms of either 2, 3 or 4 people with a small en suite and enough space for the voyage.

2 bed bunk on the JCR

For those of us being dropped off at bases we had little work to do en route, except the daily rota of duties including hoovering alleyways, scrubbing communal toilets or cleaning the socialising areas. A lot of our time was spent wobbling along the corridors, trying to keep our footing and not getting seasick! But when we were able to do so we spent our time socialising in the lounge/bar room, playing cards, darts (interesting with a swaying target!) or board games, occupying ourselves with the book library or making full use of the views from the ship.

Bar and lounge area on the JCR

As ecologists without a doubt the best way to pass time was the views as they offered the chance of seeing the wildlife passing by. Whether it be from Monkey Island (deck on top of the ship) or right on the bow the views were incredible. Particularly as it meant getting close to the birds as they flew past.

Southern Giant Petrel

Left to right: Snow Petrel and Cape Petrel

The highlight of life on board ship was the approach to Signy Island, in the South Orkneys just off of the Antarctic continent, where we had to travel through the pack ice; pushing it out of the way to get through to the base. The sound of the ice crunching against the ship as the floor shudders beneath your feet is quite an interesting experience. No photos can do this landscape justice; it was just awe-inspiring to be amongst the ice.

ICE!!

Of course, as we got further south and closer to land there were more penguins accompanying our ship. In particular the Chinstrap Penguins were a regular sight just off the ship, whilst further in the distance some Adelie Penguins could be seen crossing the ice and diving into the water. It wasn’t just penguins either, with a few Weddell and Crabeater Seals lounging on the ice!

Top: Adelie Penguins jumping in the water - Bottom: Chinstrap Penguin swimming by the ship

Top: Weddell Seal - Bottom: Crabeater Seal

 Unfortunately not all the wildlife was quite so photogenic. Two species I had really been looking forward to seeing were the Antarctic Prions (small relatives of the petrels) and any type of whale. The great thing was we saw both!! Absolutely incredible! But taking photos of small, fast moving birds or distant, brief and elusive mammals isn’t the easiest so I’m afraid this was the best I could do.

Left to right: Unknown whale species blowing and Antarctic Prion

All the more reason to keep on wildlife watching and practising with the camera, which I will be sure to do between Signy and South Georgia; where the bases of King Edward Point and Bird Island are.