Category: Expedition
New Year’s Day (2022)
01/01/22 – New Year On The Drake (Author: Lucy)
The first day of the year arrived on the Bark Europa as somewhat of a non-event. As pointed out by our guide Sarah, it was unusual to spend New Year’s Day not really acknowledging that it was New Year’s Day at all – we had far more important challenges to be worrying about at the time!
One noticeable aspect of this day was that it was the beginning of the watch system. All of the voyage crew were split into three watches: red, white and blue. Each group included approximately ten people, with a couple of REQUEST2021 members in each. Red Watch began the first shift of the New Year: four hours of half-hour rotations, swapping between steering the ship, manning lookout, sail handling and warming up inside the deckhouse. Whilst this rhythm of four hours on, eight hours off, was something we would all get more used to with time, the initial shock of waking up at midnight and making our way out onto deck in the pitch black, bitingly cold wind to carry out a task which required both physical and mental concentration, was a huge challenge to overcome on the first day… especially at such an extreme angle. This day was quoted by many on the expedition as their “worst memory” of the trip and it had several of us questioning our choices. The worst part about it was not the tiredness, cold, hunger, physical strain or even boredom, but the raw, all-encompassing and persistent sea sickness. In most cases it takes several days for landlubbers like us to get their sea legs, and for some, these ‘legs’ never came at all! Most of the team began their shifts with strong entries onto the ‘chunder chart’ and we very quickly learnt the importance of locating yourself on the leeward side of the ship, rather than facing upwind should you need to make a hasty dive for the edge.
For most of the team, even standing up straight was a huge difficulty, particularly on the first day. Europa sailed at, what felt like, a very extreme angle and it was not unusual for plates, cups, belongings or even people to find themselves flying across the deckhouse with an unexpected jolt of a wave. The unfavourable winds, which forced us to sail close-hauled into the waves, made the rhythm of the rocking far more unpredictable and crew had to have their wits about them to avoid accidents. We were advised to always keep one hand ‘free for the ship’ should something need to be grabbed at the last minute for stability. It was not unusual to have only half of shift members remaining by the end of a watch and the eventual return to bed came with an unrivalled relief. Stripping off layer after layer of cold, wet clothing to crawl back into the warmth of a swaying bunk was something we spent much of the four-hour shift dreaming about. Not only was lying down the least sickening position to be in, but tiredness was also a side effect of the sickness medication. Consequently, the remaining eight hours off shift would primarily be spent cuddling a yellow bucket in the safety of a bunk. – What a start to the sailing experience!
FINAL VOYAGE
On Friday 16th September the FINAL VOYAGE team held the penultimate Shackleton Scouts’ Own at Millbay Docks in Plymouth next to the Sir Ernest Shackleton blue plaques.
Silas Maxwell [Medway Towns]
Edward Wisbey [Dover]
Jacob Websdale [Thanet]
Jack Smith [Dartford]
Amy Schipper [Royal Tunbridge Wells]
Alex Tremain [Dartford]
Rose Darnley [Devon Scouts, representing Plymouth]
Oli Cowell [Hampshire Scouts, representing Portsmouth]
They were joined by four Kent Scouts Leaders – Alan Noake, Andrea Noake, Lucy Morgan and Nick Burring.
To mark the end of the REQUEST2021 project a tall ship sailing experience had been arranged. The original intention was to follow the route of the last few days of the Shackleton-Rowett ‘Quest’ expedition’s year-long voyage and sail from Plymouth to Portsmouth.
Unfortunately, as the Johanna Lucretia tall ship arrived in Plymouth, she suffered a catastrophic engine failure. In true Scouting spirit the FINAL VOYAGE team went ahead with the weekend anyway. We still slept aboard the tall ship and spent the Saturday sailing out from Plymouth on two other alterative vessels – the Olga, a beautiful original Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter and also had the thrill of sailing and navigating the replica of Blythe’s boat that was featured in the Channel 4 TV series, Mutiny.
On the Sunday morning the team got the opportunity to climb the rigging of the Johanna Lucretia.
On Sunday afternoon the team made their way by road to hold the very last Shackleton Scouts’ Own by the Spinnaker Tower at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth.
ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.38
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Monday 15th August 2022 – VOYAGE END / ERIK / MATTHEW
We made such good progress with fair winds back across the Drake Passage that we gained an extra day. This meant we could spend a day at Harberton, Tierra Del Fuego to visit a museum of marine mammal bones. They have thousands of bone specimens from whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, etc., including extremely rare beaked whale skeletons. Afterwards we also had a wonderful group BBQ on the shore. This episode also includes REQUEST interviews with fellow passengers Erik Kleine from Holland and Matthew Short from the USA.
BONUS CONTENT: Team Chat at Dorian Bay and Stepping Off Europa For The Last Time.
00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”
00:45 Welcome Message
01:56 Landing At Harberton
02:35 Exploring Harberton and the Marine Bones Museum
51:47 Packing in cabin 6 (Ushuaia Harbour) 19th January 2022
54:03 Repacking in cabin 6 (Ushuaia Harbour) 20th January 2022
55:15 REQUEST Interview With Erik Kleine
01:01:53 REQUEST Interview With Matthew Short
01:11:39 Closing Message
01:12:59 END
BONUS CONTENT
01:13:00 Team Chat at Dorian Bay
01:28:31 Stepping Off Europa For The Last Time
RSPB’s Wingbeat Magazine
A fantastic write up by Lucy Morgan and Sam Payne in the RSPB’s Wingbeat Magazine!
They were asked to be guest reporters for the magazine written by young people for young people.
It featured in the July 2022 edition from Page 7 to Page 9.
Wingbeat is one of the magazines that goes out to Youth Members of the RSPB,
https://www.rspb.org.uk/join-and-donate/buy-youth-membership
ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.37
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EPISODE 37 – Thursday 30th June 2022 – SECOND DRAKE & SECOND ARGO
Our return journey on across the Drake Passage with our final Argo launch along the way. The REQUEST interview with Aske Jensen from the permanent crew. Plus, BONUS content including Axel & Alan’s First Iceberg Cruise; the Fram Cruise Ship Passing; Genevieve discussing the BAS kit and a team Nansen Net Deployment.
00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”
00:45 Welcome Message
01:49 Alan Describing Being Back On The Drake
03:20 14th January – Under Motor
04:30 3.30am Watch
08:04 Sun 16th Jan – Discussing 2nd Argo
09:02 Preparing & Deploying 2nd Argo
28:20 Under Full Sail
29:51 A Windy Night!
30:49 17th January Just Before Breakfast
31:36 On Lookout Duty
32:06 On Afternoon Watch – Tanker Nearby
32:58 In The Middle Of The Drake
33:56 Final 4am Watch Entering The Beagle Channel
35:04 REQUEST Interview With Aske Jensen
41:48 Closing Message
43:09 END
BONUS CONTENT
43:42 Axel & Alan’s First Iceberg Cruise
01:00:56 A Recording Under The Ice
01:01:26 Alan’s Reflections on First Iceberg Cruise
01:03:06 Return From First Iceberg Cruise
01:07:51 Fram Cruise Ship Passing
01:08:12 Genevieve Discussing The BAS Kit
01:10:05 A team Nansen Net Deployment
ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.36
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Tuesday 14th June 2022 – PARADISE BAY / NEKO HARBOUR
A zodiac cruise on 13th January 2022 around Paradise Bay with Sarah our guide visiting Brown Station, Blue Eyed Shags nesting and glaciers with a surprise visit by a whale. Some underwater hydrophone recording. An afternoon sitting on the Beach at Neko Harbour surrounded by penguins and seals.
PLUS Bonus Content: Nansen Net Krill Sampling; Conversations and other recordings at Neko Harbour.
00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”
00:45 Welcome Message
02:18 13th January 2022 Early morning watching penguins
03:31 Alan & Axel on a Zodiak Cruise with Sarah
31:04 Underwater Sound Recording while a Whale was by the Zodiak
31:26 Alan & Axel on a Zodiak Cruise with Sarah
41:21 Underwater Sound Recording off the side of the Zodiak
46:21 Alan after Climbing the top of the Main Mast
47:03 Zodiak ride to Neko Harbour
54:36 Spending time at Neko Harbour
1:06:32 Watching a Weddell Seal Up Close
1:07:47 Lapping Water
1:08:48 Penguin Party!
1:10:27 On the beach at Neko Harbour
1:12:56 Alan’s reflections on Antarctica, Neko Harbour
01:21:50 Closing Message
1:23:10 END
BONUS CONTENT
1:23:10 Final Nansen Net Deployment
1:33:41 Review of TASK “Krill Sampling” project
1:34:50 Alan & Cathy chatting – Neko Harbour
1:35:34 Alan & Erik chatting – Neko Harbour
1:39:11 Last moments at Neko Harbour
ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.31
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EPISODE 31 – Sunday 1st May 2022 – ANTARCTIC ISOLATION – PART 1
This episode is entitled ANTARCTIC ISOLATION – PART 1 and covers the first few days visiting the Antarctic Peninsula. It includes: Alan’s Covid Test Results, Our First Iceberg and Penguin Island.
There is also the REQUEST interview with our fellow passenger – Mark Ashcroft – from Merseyside in the UK, who was on White Watch with Genevieve, Darcey and I.
After the main podcast there is also some bonus content of our Shackleton Scouts’ Own Ceremony and Investiture Ceremony.
00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”
00:45 Welcome Message
01:50 Alan’s Covid Lateral Flow Test Result
02:36 Alan’s Covid PCR Test Result
03:38 Alan – In Library – Post Covid Test Results
05:05 Alan – In Cabin One – Post Covid Test Results
06:57 First Time On Deck In Antarctica
29:15 Our First Iceberg In Antarctica
31:05 Back To Cabin One
31:46 Sound Of The Anchor Chain from Cabin One & Ship’s Alarm
32:38 Penguin Island – Bow Of Europa 5th January 2022
34:46 Sound Of Penguins – Penguin Island
35:38 Commentary – Penguin Island
39:38 Alan & Axel – Chat With Eric The Europa Captain & More Commentary
43:55 Alan & Axel – Dancing To Keep Warm
45:42 Commentary – Zodiak’s Returning From Penguin Island
46:22 Helen – Introduction To Shackleton Scouts’ Own Ceremony
46:52 Overview Of Bonus Material
47:25 Reflection On 5th January 2022
48:00 REQUEST interview with Mark Ashcroft
55:45 Closing Message
56:29 Theme Music – “Antarctica”
57:15 Introduction To Bonus Material
57:38 Bonus Content – Shackleton Scouts’ Own Ceremony on board Europa
1:19:06 Bonus Content – Investiture Ceremony on board Europa
1:24:03 END
ReQuest2021 Podcast Ep.30
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EPISODE 30 – Friday 1st April 2022 – DRAKE OUT
This episode is entitled DRAKE OUT and covers our five days sailing across the infamous Drake Passage between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula. It includes among other things: Sam discussing his personal project which involved deploying Argo Floats in the Drake; Alex chilling out while strumming his guitar; spotting an Albatross; some recordings of one of our sail training theory sessions and Darcey’s knitting lessons!
There is also the REQUEST interview with our fellow passenger – Aurelie Bringer – a French woman from near Marseille in the South of France who was on White Watch with Genevieve, Darcey and I.
00:00 Theme Music – “Antarctica”
00:45 Cabin port hole sound
01:07 Welcome Message
02:23 Sam – discussing Argo Float project
04:20 Ship creaking / Alex chilling out while strumming his guitar in the ship’s library
06:30 Waves in the Drake / George warming his hands
07:21 Midnight on 2nd January – Just finishing watch (Wind noise in background!)
07:58 Alan on deck – White Watch – 3rd January
12:43 Alan – update – no visit to Elephant Island.
13:16 Alan relieving no-one on watch / Chatting to Paul / Albatross flying by!
19:42 3.30am 4th January 2022 – Waking up for 4am watch / Alan on lookout
21:50 Ship creaking in the early hours
22:36 Sail training with Benthe – Sails
25:22 Sail training with Benthe – Lines
33:57 Alex hoovering his kilt
35:00 Team chatting in the deck house / Knitting lessons from Darcey
37:32 REQUEST interview with Aurelie (Take 1 – at the helm – interview abandoned)
41:43 REQUEST interview with Aurelie (Take 2 – recorded in better sound conditions)
53:40 Closing Message
54:15 Theme Music – “Antarctica”
54:46 END
JOIN-IN ANTARCTICA Session 1 – THE EXPEDITION
Here is the full recording of our JOIN-IN ANTARCTICA Session 1 – THE EXPEDITION – REQUEST2021 Project
Led by: Alan Noake #REQUEST2021
YOUTUBE LINK: https://youtu.be/0ft8ElqfgGc
PLEASE FEEL TO FORWARD AND SHARE FAR AND WIDE TO ANYONE YOU THINK MAY BE INTERESTED.
SOME USEFUL TIMINGS BELOW IN CASE YOU WANT TO USE SECTIONS AS A RESOURCE WITH YOUNG PEOPLE.
TIMINGS:
1) Intro music and project overview slide. [UNTIL 6 mins 30 secs]
2) Brief welcome from Alan. [From 6 mins 30 secs UNTIL 7 mins 0 secs]
3) Slideshow of Alan’s ice and wildlife photos. [From 7 mins 0 secs UNTIL 13 mins 13 secs]
4) REQUEST2021 – Expedition Presentation. [From 13 mins 13 secs UNTIL 1 hour 5 mins 21 secs]
5) Interval – Repeat of Slideshow of Alan’s ice and wildlife photos. [From 1 hour 5 mins 21 secs UNTIL 1 hour 11 mins 37 secs]
5) REQUEST2021 – Project Presentation. [From 1 hour 11 mins 37 secs UNTIL 2 hour 11 mins 55 secs]
NOTES:
1) Missing Harberton pictures added to the edit.
2) All videos replaced with original speed to improve quality.
3) Archive video of Quest leaving London removed for copyright reasons but can be watched on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8r5jtV4vNRM
PRESS RELEASE – KENT SCOUTS COMPLETE SUCCESSFUL ANTARCTIC VOYAGE DURING JANUARY 2022
- After 20 days at sea the ten strong team of Kent Scouts make their way back up the Beagle Channel to Ushuaia, Argentina.
- The team have twice crossed the infamous Drake Passage and have been exploring the waters and islands of the Antarctic Peninsula during January 2022.
- All members of the team have played an active part in sailing the Bark Europa tall ship – taking the helm, helping set sails, climbing rigging and doing lookout duty.
Alan Noake REQUEST2021 Project leader, said:
“We have successfully achieved all our objectives for the voyage including taking up a last-minute opportunity to visit Port Lockroy which was established by Scout Marr during Operation Tabarin in World War Two. There is just some work to do on our other project objectives now upon our return the UK – outreach to young people, developing the legacy fund and taking the commemorative plaque to Scotland.”
The ReQuest2021 project is a wider programme of activity centred around the expedition to Antarctica to commemorate the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921-1922. 100 years after Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Quest sailed to Antarctica a ten strong team of Scouts and leaders were recreating the original ethos of the expedition by undertaking their own voyage to the frozen south. The ten participants have been undertaking research projects whilst in Antarctica on issues such as climate change, energy, exploration, education, health and the environment. Findings will be presented in a range of engaging formats including photography, soundscapes, reports, artwork and interactive forums.
Bear Grylls, Chief Scout, sent the team off on their expedition with these encouraging words:
“You are truly following in the footsteps of many legends including the great Sir Ernest Shackleton who set off on his Quest expedition. You are also doing vital work in how we can protect the world around us, which is so important.”
The team are now enjoying a few days relaxation and reflection time in Buenos Aries before heading home to the UK.
The Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921-1922 included two Scouts: James Marr and Norman Mooney. On 30th December 2021 the team of ten scouts and their leaders will follow in Marr and Mooney’s footsteps and depart from South America for Antarctica.
The project is based upon three key principles: –
1. PEACE – Young people will form relationships with each other, their communities, other
Scouts around the world, and their environment.
2. ENVIRONMENT – Young people are more concerned about nature than ever and want to protect our environment – one study found that 60% of young people are worried or extremely worried about climate change.
3. HERITAGE – A way for young people to connect with intrepid explorers from the past, through an innovative programme of events, and mark those who went before.
For more information, please contact alan.noake@kentscouts.org.uk 07525 633435 ENDS
Notes to Editor:
About the Project
- For more information about the ReQuest2021 expedition and the research projects, please visit http://www.request2021.org.uk
- The ReQuest2021, Antarctic Research Project Team sailed on board Bark Europa tall ship from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula from 30th Dec 2021 to 20th January 2022.
- Over the past four years the ten Scouts have undertaken fundraising activities including a rowing challenge, grand auction and online merchandise sales to raise £140,000 for the expedition.
- A key sponsor of the Request expedition is the East and West Kent Freemasons which have the same core values of supporting young people www.eastkentfreemasons.org and www.westkentmasons.org.uk
- Individual Projects: CLIMATE CHANGE (LUCY), PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT (GENEVIEVE), 3D ICEBERG SIMULATION (GEORGE), COLLABORATIVE ARTWORK (DARCEY), OCEAN CURRENTS (SAM), ANTARCTIC SOUNDSCAPE (ALAN), MOTION SICKNESS STUDY (CATHY), PLASTIC POLUTION (HELEN), ELECTRICITY GENERATION (MATT), GEOMAGNETICALLY INDUCED CURRENTS (ALEX)
- Group Project: THE ANTARCTICA SCOUT KRILL project. Partnership with British Antarctic Survey to study and raise awareness of the importance of Antarctic krill to the Southern Ocean ecosystem.
- EXPEDITION PARTICIPANT NAMES AND LOCATIONS THEY ARE FROM: –
- Alan Noake, Deal, Walmer, Sandwich & District Kent
- Cathy Mummery, Weald District, Kent
- Matt Wood, Malling District, Kent
- Helen Smith, Gravesham District, Kent
- Lucy Morgan, Sevenoaks District, Kent
- Genevieve Scullion, Deal, Walmer, Sandwich & District, Kent
- George Stonor, Faversham District, Kent
- Darcey Holmes, Thanet District, Kent
- Sam Payne, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Alex Maciver, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland
About Scouts:
- All genders, races and backgrounds are welcome at Scouts. Every week, it gives almost half a million people aged 6-25 the skills they need for school, college, university, the job interview, the important speech, the tricky challenge and the big dreams: the skills they need for life.
- Scouts helps members gain these skills by encouraging them to ask the big questions and listen with wide open minds. It helps them to take a deep breath and speak up, think on their feet, ignore the butterflies and go for it. With Scouts, young people don’t give up – they get back up and try again, often with the support of the friends they’ve made there.
- Our volunteers contribute more than 50 million hours of voluntary work each year to their local communities.