One of the main problems with
diving in Antarctica in the winter in particular is the difficulty
of access to open water. There's plenty of sea around, it
just has this big lid of ice on it. When it's up to about half
a meter (16inches) thick a chainsaw with a particularly long
ice-blade is the easiest way to get through it. All is well
until you break through to the sea when you get showered with
icy cold water for your efforts!
The approach is to cut out a
big square, each side being about 1m (3 feet) or more, this
floats when free at the same level it before it was cut free.
The next thing is to cut this single piece into 4 equal sized
blocks. If the ice isn't too thick and these pieces aren't too
heavy, they can be lifted out of the water to keep them out
of the way. If the ice is thick enough for these blocks to be
very heavy, the technique is to push them under the water and
to one side using a strong pole. As they will try to float,
but are unable to, they will sit stuck up against the ice out
of the way.
This picture may not be copied or used in any manner without
prior written permission.
Previous
