The crew of Alexandra Shackleton take the plunge
We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came – John F. Kennedy
Yesterday, the crew of the Alexandra Shackleton returned to the ocean for more trials – sailing trials and survival suit trials. There’s been much talk this week of survival suits which are designed to extend the life of anyone who ends up in the unenviable predicament of having to jump into icy, Antarctic seas. (French solo yachtsman Alain Delord was wearing a survival suit when rescued by MV Orion from his life raft in the southern ocean 380nm south of Tasmania on Sunday night).
Donning their traditional gear, the crew sailed the Alexandra Shackleton away from the shore across the choppy bay, close to the support vessel Australis. The sight of six men striding out of a research base in vintage polar adventurer gear, carrying fluorescent bags and heading towards a tiny, wooden boat was too much for some – a resident penguin watched from shore wearing a perplexed expression on its face.
RawTV crew filming Alexandra Shackleton. Image Jo Stewart Shackleton Epic
After a successful stint of sailing in gusty, unpredictable winds, the crew had reached the part of the journey that I’m sure many were dreading: getting into their survival suits for a leap of faith into the bone chilling sea. With six bodies below deck in such a confined space, the drill would have resembled a frantic game of Twister. With arms and legs and feet all over the place, the crew managed to get their survival suits on without killing each other – a minor miracle. It’s not enough to just get the suit on – it needs to be done with both speed and precision because without all the zips being closed off properly, the suit is rendered ineffective. Although jumping into freezing, Antarctic waters would have been a daunting task, there’s always room for a laugh on this expedition, with Tim’s elegant scissor-kick jump drawing applause from the support crew on the Australis.
Most of the crew were happy to swim the distance to the safety of the zodiac boat being steered by trusty Magnus from the Australis, however Seb and Baz made the counterintuitive move to swim away from the zodiac, with Baz making it all the way to shore unassisted. But the freezing submersion wasn’t limited to the crew of the AS, with the film crew from Raw TV wading out up to their chests to get the perfect shot. That’s dedication.
With chilling winds of up to 30 knots still blowing outside, the delayed departure gives us all time to make final preparations for the big adventure ahead. For the crew of the Alexandra Shackleton eating as much as humanely possible seems to be the name of the game, with Skye Marr-Whelan from the Australis commenting that the six of them are eating for 12. With tonight most likely being their last night of gluttony before the pemmican diet kicks in, we’re expecting some epic appetites at the dinner table!
- by Jo Stewart, Shackleton Epic blogger
Another great post, Jo! I am freezing at my desk just imagining scissor leaping into that water!
I'm so excited about this. I'm fascinated by all stages of the trip and can't wait to see if you replicate the "butt" slide down the mountain. Seriously, I wonder if you will be deliberately mis-navigate the mountains the way it happen originally or if you'll go straight over. That's quite a way from now though with lots to get through first. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Good for you Baz but I don't envy you in that water!!
I'm a flat lander from The Deep South of the United States and have been an admirer of Shackleton for 15 years. It is with this background and appreciation that I wish you the following – I hope you are cold, miserable, wet, tired, fatigued, doubtful of the outcome, irritable, hungry, thirsty, and emotionally spent so that when you make that final step on the far side of South Georgia island, you will have that exact same feeling Shackleton and his mates felt 100 years ago. God speed.
Tim
to wish you the very best of luck in the testing days ahead.
You have achieved much to get this far and merit every success in your endeavour.
Wish we were with you.
Richard
Wishing you all a very safe passage,teamwork will be the most important task to fulfill in this voyage,keep safe and will look forward to looking at your progress on website.
Best of luck
Bob Westacott(Deben yatch club,Woodbridge Suffolk)
Wishing you men the best of luck. Obviously Shackleton and crew were so blessed, as evidenced by their survival. Not to diminish the epic nature of their accomplishment. They were certainly tested to the very limits of mortal endurance and ingenuity.
i first read of this journey some thirty years ago, and have long wondered if I, or indeed any, modern man could duplicate this feat. I will be following your adventure with great interest, and admiration for your courage in going forward willingly on this dangerous journey that was originally undertaken only under the most dire of survival conditions.
Amazing guys…you are amazing…i like the part of your last meal…now is the pemmmican…the human body is so strong…well done all of you. Love as ever.