MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Army Antarctic Expedition sails for Falklands
A British Army expedition has set off for the Falkland Islands to launch an expedition to explore the remote Danco coast of Antarctica this coming southern summer.
The British Army Antarctic Expedition is an ambitious, wide-ranging project, which will record historical, wildlife and geographical information in one of the world's most inaccessible regions and provide valuable adventure training.
The expedition boat, John Laing, which sailed from Portsmouth on August 27th, at the start of a 20,000 mile voyage, is expected to reach the Falklands in November and there embark a team of Army mountaineers. They plan to spend several weeks ashore including Christmas on the Danco coast, and seize the opportunity to tackle mountains that have never before been climbed.
They have an extensive scientific research programme, drawn up in consultation with the British Antarctic Survey, the Scott Polar Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University, and the University of Brighton. This includes recording data on wildlife such as penguins, whales, seals and seabirds, and studying the mosses and lichens which form Antarctic flora. It will also bring back geological samples, particularly from the smaller islands along the coastline.
The expedition will return to the Falkland Islands in February 2002, and the John Laing is expected back in British waters in May. Its organisers say it continues the tradition of British services involvement in Antarctic exploration.
Its patron is Prince Charles and its military patron is the Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the army, General Sir Michael Walker.
The early stages of the expedition down the Atlantic will involve conventional sail training for Army personnel and young people from the Ocean Youth Trust. Altogether 100 people will have the opportunity of experiencing the adventure.
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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