Alberto sent an email on 07Feb indicating that the cruise is very likely to depart Punta Arenas on 17 March, and return to Montevideo on 8 May. We are nearly ready to start booking flights.
Another report from Alberto concerns the sea ice extent. As this trip aims to do open ocean measurements, the absence of sea ice is a plus. Turns out that the ice extent is somewhat low relative to last year, with no ice presently in the Orkney Passage. The following images are courtesy of Povl Abrahamsen of BAS (another scientist on the cruise).
Map of Southern Ocean sea ice concentration on 08 Feb, 2017, showing high concentrations to the east of the Antarctic Peninsula, but not much in the Orkney Passage (northeast of the Peninsula).
Time series for Southern Ocean sea ice extent, showing less sea ice than last year. Note how the sea ice extent starts to increase as the Southern Hemisphere enters its autumn season in March. Since we will be in the water March-May, we will need to work hard to avoid sea ice, with the cruise track designed with that goal in mind.
