DMI helps Mary Arctica in Antarctica
For the first time ever the Greenland Ice Service has guided a ship through the ice far from Greenland waters; in the Antarctic. Here, Royal Arctic Line’s container ship Mary Arctica has brought supplies out to three research stations.
"We used information on ice extent and thickness which we received from DMI Ice Service. The sail route was planned so we avoided the most difficult and dangerous sea areas", says Torben Jacobsen, captain of the supply ship Mary Arctica.
Mary Arctica is not a beginner in Antarctic waters. Three times before the ship has sailed supplies to research stations. On these trips, it has continued to receive satellite images, but without an agreement with the Ice Service.
When Mary Arctica in early December 2012 reached the ice at Antarctica, the Ice Service analyzed satellite images of the area. Based on the pictures and the ship's own observations ice charts were produced and sent by email to the ship.
Good maps are not enough to ensure smooth sailing in the waters around Antarctica. Weather can change rapidly and influence the ice.
"Close to the Norwegian research station Troll we were surrounded by icebergs", says Captain Torben Jacobsen.
"The visibility dropped drastically. We got socalled whiteout - everything is white, and you can not see anything in the environment - and we chose the safe option: to follow along the ice passively. When visibility improved, we had ice closed around the ship. We were stuck for 13 days", says Jakobsen.
Today, two months after the trip to Antarctica began, the conclusion is that the service which DMI’s Ice Service provided was extremely valuable. Next winter, when Mary Arctica is most likely going to Antarctica again, Greenland’s Ice Services on DMI will undoubtedly also look south once more.
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