History lecturer, Bob Burton, shares tales of his Antarctic heroes

Safety Officer, Jean-Edouard Perrot, educates the young explorers on safety and navigational aspects of the Bridge

We proceed south through fog and snow

Many guests enjoy Le Boreal’s Fashion Show modeled by officers and crew

We pass by the largest iceberg in the world, C-19

Le Boreal - December 28, 2011

12/28/2011

At sea, on route to Antarctica  

Temperature: 31 ˚F (-.05˚C)

Wind speed: 8 knots

Cloud cover: 100%

Precipitation: snow    

Continuing south through the night Le Boreal passed latitude 60˚00'00 S, thus putting us within the political boundaries of Antarctica.  If that wasn't enough to convince us we were getting closer the drop in temperature was sure to help.  You needed to bundle up a little more to enjoy time on the outer decks today.  

With engaging and entertaining lectures from Bob Burton 'My Favorite Heroes of Antarctic Exploration', Patricia Silva 'Penguins: An Introduction to their Life History' and Charley Wheatley 'Cold, Green and Deep: Dynamics of the Southern Ocean' our second day at sea flew past with alarming speed.   

Originally Charley was to give his talk at 1700, however our Expedition Leader Larry Hobbs and Captain Marchesseau had an alternative plan.  Charley was brought forward to 1500 so we would not have to miss his talk or the chance to see a sight not many could say they had.  

Just around 1700 an announcement was made; we had arrived at iceberg C-19.  Having broken free from the Ross Ice Shelf in May of 2002 and caught in the east wind drift, a current running close to shore in a counter clockwise direction around the continent, it had travelled around the Antarctic to be trapped in the ice of the Weddell Sea.  Formerly 5500 square kilometers in size, the piece we were seeing today was a mere 345 square kilometers.  Traveling along its face Captain Marchesseau pulled Le Boreal to within a safe distance.  It seemed as though it would never stop!  

Turning away from C-19 and heading directly west Le Boreal headed for our first day around the Antarctic Peninsula.  We had made it!