Antarctica: Our Ship is Here and Work is in Progress

These last three days have been both exciting and challenging.  On Wednesday morning we watched as our ship the Nathaniel B. Palmer, came into port for the first time since we arrived.  The Nathaniel B. Palmer is a great ship from which to do our research: it is built tough to withstand the wind, waves, and cold.  It is ice capable and over 300 feet long which is important when you are working in Antarctica.  Unfortunately, we have had heavy winds and transport delays for our crab trap ropes so they are still in their boxes one pier over from us.  Since we cannot begin working on the rope, we have gotten all of our other tasks accomplished:  our crab traps and bait arrived so we have been preparing them instead.  We inspected each crab trap to make sure there are no holes and tomorrow we will begin the very smelly process of cutting up bait to lure in the crabs we are interested in: Paralomis birsteini.  On Thursday, we also took a walk around Punta Arenas and visited the local cemetery which is famous for being so unique.  Tonight we are excited to welcome the rest of our team members who are arriving in the evening. 

-Dan, Steph, and Katie

Dan  in front of our ship, the Nathaniel B. Palmer

Katie and Steph checking the crab bait

Unique Punta Arenas cemetary