Antarctica

• Friday, June 28th 2013 - 07:23 UTC

  Falklands Referendum: Voters from many countries around the world voted Yes

  

  By Professor Peter Willetts - In March, 1,513 people in the Falklands voted Yes to remaining a British Overseas Territory and only three people voted No. The Yes vote was a remarkable 99.8% of the voters on an exceptionally high turnout of 92.0%. The orthodox view that British voters chose to remain British is not enough to explain the result.

• Thursday, June 6th 2013 - 06:54 UTC

  IAATO focus on collaborative work at the 36th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) reported to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM XXXVI) last week and as in previous years, in addition to presenting statistics and estimates of numbers for next season, IAATO reported on the Association’s recent work and activities. This year, there was a heavy focus on the collaborative work that IAATO has undertaken with Treaty Parties and other Observers and Experts in a variety of fields.

• Tuesday, June 4th 2013 - 07:49 UTC

  Aurora Expeditions Wins ‘Best Overall Use of Social Media’ at 2013 SMITTY Awards

  

  After becoming the first cruise operator to implement a brand new social media tracking service on their remote voyages to Antarctica and the Arctic earlier this year, Aurora Expeditions has now taken home an award at the 2013 TRAVEL + LEISURE SMITTY (Social Media in Travel and Tourism) Awards.

• Monday, June 3rd 2013 - 05:02 UTC

  Falklands’ ex-governor Lamont chairman of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust

  

  Donald Lamont, a former British ambassador and former governor of the Falkland Islands took over as chairman of the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust. He replaces Philippa Foster Back, who retires from the position having served as trustee since 2000 and chair for the past seven years.

• Monday, May 20th 2013 - 19:56 UTC

  Almirante Irizar en route to becoming another major scandal for Argentina’s navy

  

  Argentina’ icebreaker Almirante Irizar, docked for repairs since 2007 is en route to becoming another major scandal involving the Ministry of Defence and the Argentine Navy’s fleet. In the last six years Argentina has invested the equivalent of 200 million dollars in the recovery of the vessel that caught fire in 2007 and another 75 million dollars in contracting vessels to supply the Antarctic bases and stations.

• Saturday, May 18th 2013 - 06:21 UTC

  Argentine Antarctic campaigns disarray and corruption claims turn off recruiting

  

  Argentina’s Antarctica campaigns are losing their flair and the country is having difficulties to fill vacancies for the 2013/14 season. This follows repeated claims of alleged corruption and delays in supplying the bases and stations plus an overall lack of support from the Defence ministry.

• Friday, May 17th 2013 - 00:19 UTC

  IAATO Search and Rescue workshop in Punta Arenas underlines importance of good communications

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Chilean Marine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) provided on Thursday details on a joint Search and Rescue Workshop conducted last month in Punta Arenas, Chile.

• Saturday, May 11th 2013 - 10:26 UTC

  HMS Protector back in Portsmouth after a successful nine-month Antarctica deployment

  

  HMS Protector, the Royal Navy’s Ice Patrol Ship, has returned to Portsmouth at the end of a nine-month deployment to the ‘Frozen Continent’. Operating in the British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands throughout the Austral Summer, the ship conducted three intensive work periods in the ice, and a fourth work period in the waters surrounding South Georgia.

• Thursday, May 9th 2013 - 05:19 UTC

  Timerman corrects Astori: relations with Uruguay are going through ‘a good moment’

  

  Argentine Foreign minister Hector Timerman said that relations with Uruguay are going through “a good moment”, contrary to recent statements from Uruguayan Vice-president Danilo Astori, and described as ‘false’ the information that two Falklands’ flagged fishing vessels had called into Uruguayan ports.

• Wednesday, May 8th 2013 - 21:52 UTC

  IATTO expects Antarctic tourism to grow 3% next 2013/14 season

  

  A new five-year Strategic Plan, an expanded Membership and committee structure, and a new yacht dockside observer program were among the items adopted at the 24th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), held April 22-24 in Punta Arenas, Chile.