Category: Stations, ship & aircraft

10 July, 2024

Construction teams have completed significant stages of the British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme and joined the over-wintering staff for the first time as the 2023/24 summer season ended.  The improvements, led by BAM and technical advisors Ramboll will transform future science and operations at Rothera, the UK’s largest polar research station in Antarctica.

Read more on Modernisation milestones achieved in Antarctica

10 April, 2024

A new trial of Eutelsat OneWeb at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station is providing new opportunities for science, and even live broadcasting. The low Earth orbit service was launched …

Read more on New connectivity for Antarctica

29 January, 2024

A study published this month in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science reveals that disturbing the seabed, through activities such as trawling, could increase the scale and speed of climate …

Read more on Disturbing the seabed could make climate change worse

23 January, 2024

A team of scientists are embarking on an ambitious 30-day scientific expedition on board RRS Sir David Attenborough to investigate how carbon dioxide moves and transforms in the Southern Ocean. …

Read more on New research mission on board polar ship set to unlock Southern Ocean’s carbon secrets

9 January, 2024

Congratulations to British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff who have been awarded a Polar Medal in the 2024 New Year’s Honours List for their contributions to improving our understanding of Antarctica …

Read more on BAS staff awarded the Polar Medal 2024

4 December, 2023

ANTARCTICA: Scientists aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough collected samples of seawater around the A23a mega iceberg, the largest iceberg in the world. New video footage shows the enormous iceberg, …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough samples A23a iceberg during climate science mission

27 November, 2023

Construction has begun in Antarctica for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) with specialists arriving at Rothera Research Station to progress several projects to secure the future of polar operations and …

Read more on Construction first for British Antarctic Survey as specialist team fit-out new building over the Antarctic winter

20 November, 2023

A team of international researchers set sail on the RRS Sir David Attenborough today (20 November) to answer some of the big questions about how Antarctic ecosystems and sea ice …

Read more on First Antarctic research mission on polar ship

17 October, 2023

Congratulations to our Estates and Facilities Team who have won the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management’s (IFWM) Impact Awards 2023 under the “Team of the Year: Public Sector” category.   …

Read more on Estates and Facilities Team win prestigious award

4 October, 2023 Ralph Stevens

Traditionally when working in a remote environment, we fall back on wood and glue to repair and modify parts onboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Quite often, the plastic components …

Read more on Benefits of 3D printing on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough

13 September, 2023

ANTARCTICA – Following the calving of the A-81 iceberg at the end of January 2023, the Brunt Ice Shelf is moving faster than before. It is currently moving approximately 4 …

Read more on Brunt Ice Shelf speeds up after calving of giant iceberg

22 August, 2023

An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) was deployed from the RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) for the first time last week. The Gavia Offshore Surveyor, named Freya, was deployed from the …

Read more on First AUV deployed from new polar ship

28 July, 2023

Further trials are underway on RRS Sir David Attenborough in preparation for its first Antarctic science cruise. Over the coming weeks, the crew and scientists on board will be carrying …

Read more on Next phase of trials underway on polar ship

6 July, 2023 Thomas Boagey

British Antarctic Survey aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040 and decarbonise our polar research stations by 2030.  A key part of this project is to end the reliance on conventional …

Read more on Life on a subantarctic island: installing a new renewable energy system at Bird Island Research Station

12 June, 2023

Antarctic Bottom Water is the coldest, densest water mass on the planet and plays a pivotal role in regulating the ocean’s ability to store heat and capture carbon. In a …

Read more on Deep ocean waters in Antarctica are shrinking and warming

19 May, 2023 Connie Pang

Connie Pang is a Senior Structural Engineer at Ramboll and travelled to Antarctica this year to work as the Site Supervisor for the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme. Here she looks …

Read more on Life as a structural engineer in Antarctica

18 May, 2023 Emily Neville

Today, 18 May, is the IMO International Day of Women in Maritime – a day to celebrate and raise the profile of women who work at sea. Here at British …

Read more on International Day of Women in Maritime

12 May, 2023

Modernising Antarctic Infrastructure for Future Generations of Polar Scientists Specialist construction teams are travelling home to the UK after five months of work in Antarctica to modernise British Antarctic Survey …

Read more on Update on construction season in Antarctica

3 May, 2023 Kate Hendry

The polar science trials cruise is over, everyone has travelled home (or are off on their next adventure), and now it’s time to reflect on a successful expedition. Thanks to …

Read more on Six things we learnt on the Polar Science Trials

21 March, 2023 Huw Griffiths

We are marine biologists that study seafloor creatures, Jamie is doing a PhD investigating Antarctic sea spiders in the University of Galway and Huw works at BAS. Both of us …

Read more on Breaking records and exploring life in the abyss

28 February, 2023

Global challenges due to COVID-19 have impacted research, fieldwork, facilities and infrastructure in the polar regions, resulting in an accumulation of funded projects to be supported. NERC is committed to …

Read more on NERC update on polar research planning

22 February, 2023 Emily Newton

Last week, the team aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough produced the first significant scientific data set with the ship’s oceanography equipment – a significant milestone in the life of …

Read more on Science Trials on the RRS Sir David Attenborough add to historic dataset

20 February, 2023 Emily Newton

Martin Bell, Halley Vehicles Engineering Manager, reflects on the work of the Vehicles team as the Halley Research Station closes for winter. This award-winning and innovative research station provides scientists …

Read more on Season’s end: preparing Halley VI for the winter

14 February, 2023 Huw Griffiths

The RRS Sir David Attenborough has begun its polar science trials in Antarctica. A team of 30 national and international scientists, engineers and technical staff are working on the ship …

Read more on First science: aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough Science Trials

31 January, 2023

The UK’s new polar ship RRS Sir David Attenborough begins its polar science trials in Antarctica this week. A team of 30 national and international scientists, engineers and technical staff …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough begins polar science trials

22 December, 2022

Colleagues and collaborators from across the globe will celebrate the festive season together at British Antarctic Survey’s five research stations in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic, along with festivities onboard the …

Read more on Celebrating the Festive Season in Antarctica

10 December, 2022

Babcock International’s Rosyth shipyard today has been awarded £45 million to maintain the UK’s fleet of three scientific research vessels – including RRS Sir David Attenborough. The three vessels are …

Read more on New refit yard announced for RRS Sir David Attenborough

3 December, 2022 David Wilkins

David Wilkins is the Net Zero Engagement and Support Officer at British Antarctic Survey. He recently visited our new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough. On this International Day of …

Read more on All aboard: RRS Sir David Attenborough is about to depart

2 December, 2022

The next phase of the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation programme (AIMP) is set to begin with a 6-month construction season at Rothera Research Station. The station is the UK’s largest Antarctic research and operations hub that supports leading researchers in frontier science in the region. 

Read more on New season begins for Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation programme

17 November, 2022

Britain’s new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, departs the UK next week (Tuesday 22 November) for its second voyage to Antarctica. The ship departs Harwich on 20 …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough departs for Antarctica

3 November, 2022

Our Antarctic field season has begun, with a challenging and ambitious range of projects to be delivered at five British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research stations and across the wider continent. …

Read more on British Antarctic Survey’s 2022-2023 field season begins

20 September, 2022

Captain John Harper retires this month after a long and successful career at British Antarctic Survey (BAS). In fact, with an incredible 42 years of service, Captain Harper is the …

Read more on BAS bids farewell to Captain John Harper

23 August, 2022

RRS Sir David Attenborough begins its second leg of science trials this week (22 August 2022). Britain’s new polar ship will depart Belfast today for its second leg of science …

Read more on Polar ship begins science trials

5 July, 2022 Jonathan Smith

Reaching net zero, as a country or a business, requires new measures, technology and innovations. Digital twins are an example of this; they can be a powerful tool to drive innovation and efficiency.

Read more on Seeing double: Digital twins and net zero

14 June, 2022

Britain’s new polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, returns to the UK today (14 June) after completing its landmark maiden voyage to Antarctica. The ship departed the UK in …

Read more on Polar research ship returns to UK

11 June, 2022

Britain’s new polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, is centre-stage in a new gallery, ‘Poles Apart’, which opened today at the Royal Museums Greenwich National Maritime Museum. The exhibition …

Read more on Gallery opens at National Maritime Museum

12 May, 2022

Trinity House Merchant Navy Cadets are joining Britain’s new polar research vessel RRS Sir David Attenborough. Three Cadets will be joining the vessel in the Falkland Islands this week for …

Read more on Trinity House Cadets join polar ship

21 April, 2022

On 17 March 2022, Professor Dame Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, Nigel Bird, Director of Major Programmes at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Brian Love, Chief …

Read more on New aircraft investment supports polar science

31 March, 2022

The RRS Sir David Attenborough completes ice trials during its maiden voyage to Antarctica – a critical milestone in the commissioning of Britain’s new polar ship. This is the first …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough completes ice trials

9 March, 2022

Looking for a new challenge? British Antarctic Survey has launched its latest recruitment campaign for a wide range of jobs in Antarctica for the 2022/23 Antarctic season. Antarctica is the …

Read more on Job opportunities in Antarctica

4 March, 2022

In late February, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Halley VI Research Station closed for the 2021/22 season. The season saw some major developments at the station, including several significant improvements and additions to its automated systems.

Read more on Automation in place at Halley VI Research Station

9 February, 2022

Scientists have deployed a network of seismometers onto Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf in an experiment that will test the instrument’s ability to operate on icy moons in the Solar System. …

Read more on Antarctica as testing site ahead of mission to icy moons

2 February, 2022 Emily Neville

Neil Brims is the Electrician at Halley VI Research Station. In our latest blog, find out what life is like at Halley and how it feels to live at the …

Read more on Happy at Halley

5 January, 2022

One hundred years on from the death of the famous polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, the UK’s new polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, will be exploring the very …

Read more on New polar research ship embodies ‘spirit of Shackleton’

21 December, 2021 Christopher Robert Lloyd

Christopher Robert Lloyd, Contract Manager for Ramboll, will be working in Antarctica on constructing the new scientific support facility at Rothera, the Discovery Building. He first travelled to Antarctica in …

Read more on The challenges of running Antarctic stations during a pandemic

21 December, 2021 Emily Neville

It’s been a busy few weeks for RRS Sir David Attenborough! After departing the UK on its maiden voyage over a month ago, the ship has made it all the …

Read more on How’s life on the RRS Sir David Attenborough?

8 December, 2021

The RRS Sir David Attenborough completes the first leg of its journey to Antarctica, arriving in the Falkland Islands on 9 December. The draft of Britain’s new polar ship is …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough arrives in Falkland Islands

7 December, 2021

A full trial assembly of a specialist air communications tower for a British Antarctic Research Station has been constructed this autumn in Scotland, ahead of its shipping to Antarctica this month. …

Read more on From Scotland to Antarctica: trial construction of new Antarctic communications tower in Kintore

16 November, 2021

Britain’s new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, departs the UK this week for its maiden voyage to Antarctica. It will leave Harwich today (16 November), with 66 …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough makes maiden voyage to Antarctica

20 July, 2021

The UK and Australia’s two new polar research ships get together off the coast of Falmouth during sea trials.

Read more on UK and Australian new polar research ships rendezvous on sea trials

16 July, 2021 Emily Neville

At British Antarctic Survey, the next chapter in shipborne research is about to begin. Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been undergoing an intensive programme of …

Read more on How to test a new polar ship

30 June, 2021

The RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) is getting ready for its next round of sea trials.  This is an important part of the preparations for the ship’s first Antarctic mission.  The …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough getting ready for next phase of sea trials

21 June, 2021

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is celebrating Midwinter’s Day (Monday 21 June) as staff in three British Antarctic Territory Research Stations mark the shortest and darkest day of the year on the frozen continent. The tradition began in …

Read more on Celebrating Midwinter in Antarctica

28 May, 2021

This summer, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) will be an official partner for the Good Business Festival youth programme in the Liverpool City Region. BAS already has an important connection with the area – Britain’s new polar ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough …

Read more on British Antarctic Survey partners with The Good Business Festival Youth Programme

29 March, 2021

The RRS James Clark Ross arrived in Harwich yesterday, completing its final season with British Antarctic Survey. After 30 years of service, the ship will soon be sold. The ship …

Read more on Antarctic homecoming – RRS James Clark Ross arrives in Harwich for the final time

18 March, 2021

CAMBRIDGE: British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is today notifying the UK marine polar research community of its intention to re-schedule RRS Sir David Attenborough’s (SDA) ice trials, science capability and equipment …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough – COVID impacts on ship into service timeline

10 March, 2021 Emily Neville

Last month, the RRS Sir David Attenborough carried out two weeks of sea trials around the UK. We caught up with Captain Will Whatley to find out how it feels to be …

Read more on Meet the crew: Captain Will Whatley

1 March, 2021

Today (Monday 1 March 2021) the RRS James Clark Ross (JCR) makes her final call to her home port of the Falkland Islands. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of her 20/21 Antarctic season.  …

Read more on RRS James Clark Ross makes final call to Falkland Islands

23 February, 2021

On Friday 19 February 2021 the RRS James Clark Ross made her final call to Rothera Research Station. After 30 years of service, the JCR will be sold at the end of the …

Read more on RRS James Clark Ross departs Antarctica for the final time

15 February, 2021 Livia Oldland

Billy Thursfield, Sub-Agent for BAM, is currently working on the construction of the new science and operations facility at Rothera Research Station, the Discovery Building. Here he reflects on working …

Read more on Life in Antarctica

8 February, 2021

On Sunday 7 February 2021 the UK’s most advanced polar research ship – RRS Sir David Attenborough – left Holyhead for sea trials.

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough heads to open sea for trials

26 January, 2021

RRS Sir David Attenborough’s workboat, Terror, has won Best Landing Craft in the 2020 Work Boat World Awards. The boats were judged on the design, build and functionality of the …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough workboat wins international award

18 December, 2020

Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been registered on the British register of ships at Stanley, Falkland Islands. This continues the long tradition of registering British …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough registered to Falkland Islands

15 December, 2020

UPDATE 15/12/2020: Opening Signy Research Station RRS James Clark Ross arrived at Signy Island on 15 December. Signy Island is one of the remote South Orkney Islands, which lie more …

Read more on RRS James Clark Ross on route to Antarctica

2 December, 2020

Britain’s new polar ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, has been handed over from Cammell Laird shipyard to the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Operated by British Antarctic Survey (BAS), …

Read more on British Antarctic Survey takes delivery of RRS Sir David Attenborough

17 November, 2020

The new polar research ship, the RRS Sir David Attenborough begins technical trials

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough heads for open sea

3 November, 2020 Matthew Phillips

Matthew Phillips reflects on his three periods of quarantine this year in preparation for working in Antarctica as Rothera Winter Station Leader. All staff deployed to Antarctica this season will …

Read more on Reflections on Isolation

21 October, 2020

BIRKENHEAD. Today (Wednesday 21 October) the UK’s most advanced polar research ship – RRS Sir David Attenborough – leaves Cammell Laird shipyard for two weeks of technical sea trials.  In …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough departs Cammell Laird for technical sea trials

7 August, 2020

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) provides more detail about its Antarctic season operational plan for the forthcoming field season and how it plans to keep Antarctica virus-free. COVID-19 continues to present …

Read more on Update on 2020/21 Antarctic field season: responding to COVID-19 pandemic

9 June, 2020

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic  CAMBRIDGE: British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reveals more detail about its Antarctic season operational plan for the 2020-21 season. COVID-19 continues to present BAS with a …

Read more on British Antarctic Survey season plan for 2020-21

1 June, 2020

EXETER. There is great excitement this week for British Antarctic Survey and the RRS Sir David Attenborough as Captain Will Whatley and Chief Engineer Luke Parnell put the cargo tender …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough’s cargo tender completes maiden voyage

20 May, 2020

The completion marks the latest milestone for the £140m UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme commissioned by UKRI-NERC and undertaken by the British Antarctic Survey. Surrounded by spectacular scenery, dominated by …

Read more on Sub-Antarctic island celebrates Shackleton Day with New Wharf for the RRS Sir David Attenborough

16 April, 2020

A new £40 million wharf to moor the RRS Sir David Attenborough has been used by polar ships for the first time at British Antarctic Survey’s Rothera Research Station in …

Read more on New Antarctic Wharf Ready for the RRS Sir David Attenborough

7 April, 2020

Exceptional plans to repatriate our people at the end of the Antarctic summer field season

Read more on End of Antarctic field season 2020 – repatriation

30 January, 2020

In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the first sighting of Antarctica by the British naval officer Edward Bransfield on this date in 1820, a new building to facilitate the …

Read more on New building at Rothera breaks ground

16 January, 2020

BIRKENHEAD. The RRS Sir David Attenborough achieved two important milestones at Cammell Laird’s shipyard this month with the commissioning and testing of lifeboats and power systems. The ship is in …

Read more on RRS Sir David Attenborough latest milestones

20 October, 2019

A new work by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage celebrates the RRS Sir David Attenborough. In this video Simon describes his inspiration for the poem, which can be read in full …

Read more on Poet Laureate marks naming of polar ship

26 March, 2019

New polar ship takes to the water once again

Read more on New polar ship takes to water once again

13 March, 2019

A major milestone has been reached in the construction of a new wharf at Rothera Research Station. The first of 20 steel frames, forming the skeleten of the new structure, has been lowered into place in a piece of precision engineering.

Read more on Construction of new wharf begins as first frame is lowered into place

9 November, 2018 Matthew Southworth

Plant operator and enthusiastic environmentalist Matt Southworth finds his dream of working in Antarctica coming true!

Read more on Living my dream of working in Antarctica

19 July, 2018

BIRKENHEAD. The superstructure of the new polar research ship for Britain, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, is now on top of the hull. Following the launch of the RRS Sir …

Read more on Update – new polar ship superstructure lifted onto hull

16 July, 2018

The majestic red hull of the RRS Sir David Attenborough glided in the River Mersey on Saturday 14 July. The launch button was pressed by the naturalist and broadcaster Sir …

Read more on Launch of RRS Sir David Attenborough – in pictures

11 July, 2018

RRS Sir David Attenborough hull launch into River Mersey 14 July Update 20 July 2018 – watch video of launch A major milestone in the build of the UK’s state-of-the-art …

Read more on New polar research ship makes a ‘splash’

20 April, 2018

Deadline for proposals 5 July 2018

Read more on Call for Arctic ship-based research proposals

17 November, 2017 Daan Aldenberg

One misty day last week (November 2017), the RRS James Clark Ross arrived at Bird Island in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. On board was Daan Aldenberg, from BAM International, partner …

Read more on Guest blog: arriving at Bird Island

27 October, 2017

The RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) just got another step closer to completion as the Hamburg Ship Model Basin (HSVA) investigated the aerodynamic performance of Britain’s new polar research vessel using a computer generated ‘virtual wind tunnel’

Read more on The RRS Sir David Attenborough in the virtual wind tunnel

29 September, 2017

Rolls-Royce is marking a major milestone on the journey towards the completion of Britain’s new polar research vessel the RRS Sir David Attenborough being built by Merseyside shipyard Cammell Laird.

Read more on Milestone in construction of RRS Sir David Attenborough

18 August, 2017

A major feat of engineering takes place this week (21 August) as the “stern section” of the new polar research ship for Britain, the RRS Sir David Attenborough, is transported …

Read more on New polar ship construction milestone

25 July, 2017 Jerry Gillham

In this blog Jerry Gillham, station leader at King Edward Point Research Station, describes how his team have tackled an unusual cooking challenge. With no dedicated chef at King Edward …

Read more on Cooking up a storm at King Edward Point Research Station

20 April, 2017 Paul Fox

Paul Fox, Senior Responsible Officer for RRS Sir David Attenborough, has written a guest blog for a behind-the-scenes look at NERC’s commission of a new polar research ship for Britain and the associated Antarctic infrastructure modernisation programme.

Read more on Guest blog. RRS Sir David Attenborough: The story so far

6 March, 2017 Ben Rowe

This is Part 2 of a guest blog written by Ramboll engineer Ben Rowe, who was embedded with the British Antarctic Survey for 11 weeks to advise and assist with …

Read more on Guest blog: How to move an Antarctic research station #2

3 March, 2017 Ben Rowe

This is Part 1 of a guest blog written by Ramboll engineer Ben Rowe, who was embedded with the British Antarctic Survey for 11 weeks to advise and assist with …

Read more on Guest blog: How to move an Antarctic research station #1

2 February, 2017

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has successfully relocated Halley VI Research Station to its new home on the Brunt Ice Shelf.  Operational teams have spent the past 13 weeks moving each …

Read more on Halley VI Research Station – relocation success

16 January, 2017

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has decided not to winter at Halley VI Research Station for safety reasons. The station, which is located on the floating Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica, …

Read more on Halley Research Station Antarctica to close for winter