Getting ready to leave Chile

Warehouse in Punta Arenas where we get our gear

Lots of options for Palmer Station attire

We are provided with all the cold weather and fishing gear that we need to wear in Antarctia.  At the dock there is a warehouse where we get a dufflebag with what we need and get a chance to try it all on to make sure it fits.  When we return to Punta Arenas we return it back to the warehouse.  We get long underwear, winter boots, coats, rubber boots, gloves, pants, and jacket for fishing, hats, gloves, and my favorite Carhartts!

Ooh-la-la... Kristin O'Brien checking out the latest in Palmer Station fashion.

Checking out our clothing

 The research vessel that we use is the Laurence M.Gould (or LMG) , which is named after the explorer Laurence McKinley Gould who was a member of Admiral Byrd's expedition to Antarctica in the late 1920s.  The boat was built in 1997 by the Edison Chouest Offshore out of Louisiana, and it replaced the Polar Duke. During my 1997 field season I was on the Polar Duke, so I have been lucky enough to be on both vessels. The LMG is about 230 feet in length and quite comfortable (if you are fortunate enough not to get seasick!). Pictures will be coming... so stay tuned.

Johanne Lewis and Amanda Reynolds walking along dock to LMG

LMG