Russian vessel incident triggers debate on Antarctica growing tourist industry

Saturday, January 11th 2014 - 07:48 UTC

Full article 10 comments

The challenging rescue operation launched after a Russian ship became trapped in Antarctic pack ice in December shows the inherent risks facing the frozen continent's burgeoning tourist industry, experts say. Antarctica represents one of the last frontiers for adventurous travelers, an icy wonderland of glaciers, emperor penguins and seemingly endless white expanses. Read full article

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ChrisR
A bond of one billion dollars should be mandatory for any commercial organization exploiting the Antarctic for gain.

The money could then be used to reimburse the companies / governments getting them out of their difficulties.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 09:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Britworker
What was Tom Selleck doing there?
Jan 11th, 2014 - 10:28 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Klingon
I am not sure there is any real debate going on, more just people talking to reporters when asked a question.
Kind of a non story.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 11:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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Conqueror
@1 Frenot and Ligget are right. It was a “pseudo-scientific expedition” and should not have been permitted. The same data could have been obtained by asking existing research bases to take the requisite “measurements”. But the “global-warming” nutjobs needed to take their own measurements. In order to “fix” the data. But they have their “answers” now. Polar ice is increasing and getting thicker. Again. Ergo, no global warming. And the “buddy” system is an excellent idea. One of them being an icebreaker. It could carry additional stores and “evacuation equipment”. Sno-Cats, snowmobiles, a helicopter?

But the bond is also a good idea. No need to divert taxpayer-funded government equipment and personnel. Arctic/Antarctic rescue companies. Wonder how much it cost to divert the USCG Polar Star into the Antarctic? Who's going to pay for that? And argieland should be heavily fined for failing to provide any assistance. The Antarctic Treaty Secretariat should be removed, as a matter of urgency, to the territory of a responsible nation. How about New Zealand? It's closest. Then Australia. South Sandwich Islands?
Jan 11th, 2014 - 11:20 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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golfcronie
@4
What assistance do you honestly believe that Argentina could give? Their navy cannot leave port, but sink at their moorings.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 12:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Briton
perhaps a commonwealth AIR SEA Rescue Base down there to help

paid by the UN.
??
Jan 11th, 2014 - 07:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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golfcronie
@6
Why the Commonwealth, why not Latam countries contributing, after all they are nearer?
Jan 11th, 2014 - 08:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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nololly
Have you seen the Argie icebreaker, it rolls over first one side, then the other. If it can't break the ice it rolls over 180 degrees with is bottom in the air whilst playing the tango.
Jan 11th, 2014 - 08:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Conqueror
@5 You mean the location of the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat can't provide assistance in the Antarctic? I'm shocked and horrified. And a “country” that has, illegitimately, claimed a huge segment of the Antarctic, established innumerable pointless “bases”, conducted military activities contrary to the treaty and flown a pregnant female to the Antarctic to expel her foetus, can't conduct rescue activities? More shock and horror. Let's “think” about this. A fifth-rate shithole chose the middle of WW2 to make a claim to part of Antarctica. A Bitish part. Did Juan enjoy getting butt-fucked by Adolf? Did Adolf tell Juan “Claim British Antarctica because the British are going to lose. And I'll butt-fuck you again. I'll even let my dog, Blondi, fuck your old woman. And butt-fuck her as well if you like”.
@7 Please. Latam “countries” contributing? Surely you mean latam “countries” paying. And a good accounting system. A dependable rescue system. Call for rescue. Check records. Latam hasn't paid. Available balance. “We can get an icebreaker to within 100 miles of you. You'll have to walk the rest”. Commonwealth countries are dependable. For getting there. Latam countries are also dependable. For “needing” a siesta. For “needing” mate. For having “broken down”. For cowardly “crews”.
Jan 12th, 2014 - 03:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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Briton
7 golfcronie
Why the Commonwealth, why not Latam countries
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
You have a good point, but as [ 9 Conqueror ]
Says in part,

They would just use this to claim what is not theirs, totally screw it up, and then blame us,

8 nololly
If they keep rolling, they are no good to anyone but the fish’s .lol

I just think the commonwealth nations, on the doorstep, with back up,
would do a very good job,
its justa thought..
.
Jan 12th, 2014 - 07:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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