Every expedition is a logistics masterpiece. There is
no supermarket at sea. From scientific equipment, laboratory material and
sufficient provisions, down to the smallest screw - everything must be on board
when the vessel leaves port and departs for several weeks on a research cruise.
At the pier
"Polarstern" has moored at the Mardones Pier in the port of Punta Arenas. Only a few days left until the start of the expedition PS 119.
"Polarstern" at the Pier (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
In the port of Punta Arenas, there is only this one pier where "Polarstern" can moor with its 11-meter deep draft.
Support
Dockworkers from Punta Arenas support the "Polarstern" crew. Many of them have known this ship for several years.
In the port of Punta Arenas (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Dock Workers in Punta Arenas (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Dock Worker in Punta Arenas (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
In the port of Punta Arenas (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Cargo
In total, two containers with additional ship equipment, one container with the equipment from MARUM in Bremen, and one container with AWI equipment are loaded in Punta Arenas. There are also four containers for the system of the Remotely Operated Vehicle “MARUM-Quest”.
Provision
For each new leg of the cruise, fresh supplies are loaded in port. In Punta Arenas, this includes 1440 eggs, 800 kilos of potatoes, 1400 liters liters of milk, 600 kilos of flour, 1.5 tons of fresh fruit and vegetables and 480 cups of yoghurt.
The winch has finally arrived
The entire morning we wait for the four containers with the ROV system. Finally, the container with the ROV winch arrives at the pier.
Winch of Dive Robot "Marum-Quest" (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
The winch has 5000 meters of cable - the "umbilical cord" that will keep our robot alive in the deep sea.
Winch of Dive Robot "Marum-Quest" (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
With a heavy-duty crane . . .
Winch of Dive Robot "Marum-Quest" (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
. . . the 13.5 t winch is brought on deck.
Careful Planning (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
ROV-team leader Volker Ratmeyer from MARUM plans the procedure with his colleagues.
Winch of Dive Robot "Marum-Quest" (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
The ROV winch finds its place on the working deck.
Port Area
While working at the pier with heavy equipment and high tech gear, only a few hundred meters away, in the port area, time seems to stand still.
In the port of Punta Arenas (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
In the port of Punta Arenas (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Punta Arenas used to be one of the most important ports in world trade. After the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, it was bypassed. Ships were able to take a shorter route from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and thus no longer had to circumnavigate the dangerous Cape Horn.
"Polarstern" at the Pier in Punta Arenas (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Back at the pier. We are well on schedule. Almost everything is loaded. All we need now is fuel.
"Polarstern" at the bunker pier in Cabo Negro (2019/2019)Federal Ministry of Education and Research
One day before the expedition starts, we moor at the bunker pier Cabo Negro and bunker around 2,000 tons of marine diesel.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Holger von Neuhoff
TEXT: Stephanie von Neuhoff
