Antarctica

• Monday, March 5th 2012 - 19:03 UTC

  HMS Protector returns to spot in Antarctica where Shackleton saved his men

  

  Sailors from HMS Protector have returned to the exact spot where polar explorer Ernest Shackleton saved his men nearly 100 years ago. A team form the ice survey ship carried out scientific research at Point Wild on Elephant Island - a remote and forbidding shore where Shackleton expedition party spent months awaiting rescue in 1916.

• Tuesday, February 28th 2012 - 19:54 UTC

  Banning cruise vessels coming from Malvinas, “cheap way of making sovereignty”

  

  The law was ‘misinterpreted’ and “the authorization awarded to cruise vessels by the (Argentine) Foreign Affairs ministry was ignored”, claimed the president of Ushuaia Chamber of Tourism Marcelo Lietti reacting to the weekend decision to bar two red ensign cruises from entering Tierra del Fuego.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 17:25 UTC

  South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands announce Marine Protected Area

  

  UK Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham has welcomed the declaration of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) around the UK Overseas Territory of South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 04:33 UTC

  Tragedy in Antarctica: “much improvisation” and “a great lesson for Chile”

  

  The tragedy in the Antarctic King George Island involving the Brazilian base should be “a great lesson for Chile” and is evidence that research scientists and military personnel coexist in Antarctica under “improvised conditions”.

• Monday, February 27th 2012 - 04:29 UTC

  Blaze destroys Brazilian Antarctic base; two dead when generator room exploded

  

  A fire broke out at Brazil's research station in Antarctica on Saturday, killing two navy personnel and forcing the evacuation by helicopter of about 40 other people, the government said.

• Thursday, February 23rd 2012 - 04:01 UTC

  Japanese nationals planning to travel to Antarctica must notify Environment Ministry

  

  In an effort to assist travel agents and tour operators with Antarctica travel planning for their Japanese clients and foreign residents of Japan, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is making new information available from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.

• Thursday, February 23rd 2012 - 03:53 UTC

  IAATO public awareness campaign for Antarctica bound yachts

  

  Following a good response to its public awareness campaign focusing on yacht operators, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has continued its efforts during the current 2011-12 season to educate those bound for Antarctica aboard sailing or motor vessels.

• Tuesday, February 21st 2012 - 20:56 UTC

  UK celebrates Captain Scott’s Antarctic achievements and legacy to peace and science

  

  Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham celebrated the Captain Scott expedition's achievements and legacy of peace and science at the Foreign Office on 20 February.

• Friday, February 17th 2012 - 01:18 UTC

  HMS Protector meets RRS Ernest Shackleton in Antarctica

  

  Newly commissioned Royal Navy Ice patrol vessel HMS Protector met up with her sister ship, the RRS Ernest Shackleton, in Antarctica recently. Her role as Ice Patrol Ship is to: conduct hydrographical surveys; assist the British Antarctic Survey; conduct base inspections to support the Antarctic Treaty and patrol for unlicensed fishing and visitors

• Thursday, February 16th 2012 - 21:13 UTC

  UK Science minister calls in the Falklands en route to Antarctica tour

  

  Science and Universities Minister David Willetts has become the latest UK politician to visit the Falklands. A spokesman for Mr Willetts said he would make on Thursday a “transiting visit” en route to an engagement in Antarctica.