Experts Discuss Antarctic Safety

17 December 2009

Humanitarian and environmental risks posed by ship-borne Antarctic tourism were the focus of an experts’ conference attended by LINZ last week.

The Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts, held in Wellington from 9–11 December, was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The conference followed eight serious maritime incidents in Antarctica, six of which were tourist vessels and included the sinking of the MS Explorer in November 2007 polluting the area, and the grounding of the MV Ocean Nova cruise ship earlier this year. Such events illustrate the need for better regulation of Antarctic tourism voyages.

Seventeen member countries of the Antarctic Treaty System were represented at the conference, including France, Chile, Australia and the United States. The Treaty, originally signed in 1959, agrees the conservation and the peaceful and scientific use of its member countries collective Antarctic territories.

LINZ was represented at the conference by National Geodesist Graeme Blick, and National Hydrographer Adam Greenland, who also delivered a presentation on LINZ’s hydrographic work in the Ross Sea Region.

“It was very encouraging to see a range of significant issues being raised, and solutions being worked towards,” Graeme notes. “New Zealand is a gateway to Antarctica and, because of our proximity and international obligations, we would likely be involved in any search and rescue operations or threats to the fragile Antarctic environment, such as oil spills, in our areas of responsibility, the Ross Sea Region.”

Charting the cold seas

Adam’s presentation focused on New Zealand’s role in Antarctic hydrographic surveying and charting.

“New Zealand’s responsibility under the Antarctic Treaty System is for the Ross Sea Region,” explains Adam. “It is LINZ’s job to provide authoritative hydrographic information for this region, primarily for the purpose of safety of navigation.”

As Adam points out, less than one percent of the sea area within the 200-metre contour has been adequately surveyed to meet the needs of contemporary shipping entering Antarctic waters.

“At the present time international survey and charting efforts have been focused around the Antarctic Peninsula. New Zealand’s efforts have been focused in the Ross Sea Region, for the survey and charting of marine shipping routes and approaches to permanent scientific bases,” says Adam. “It’s a challenging part of the world to survey, because of the short window of time available each year (known as the survey season), the expense, the extreme weather conditions, and the presence of sea ice.”

While LINZ has produced eight new charts for the Antarctic over the last seven years, many have limited coverage surveyed to modern standards. Tourist vessels – many of which are travelling to more and more Antarctic destinations – need to be aware of the limitations of charts for the Antarctic Treaty area.

“Further research needs to be done to build a comprehensive picture of all shipping activities in the Ross Sea Region, including actual landing locations and vessel tracking,” Adam says.

“Looking ahead, LINZ will cooperate with national and international departments and the International Hydrographic Organisation to identify areas of significance and develop a prioritised survey plan for the Ross Sea Region.”

Download Adam’s presentation slides (PDF 4.8MB) and paper (PDF 2.31MB) on hydrographic surveying and charting in the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica.

Find out more about LINZ charts and hydrographic services.

Media enquiries: Rebecca Ward, Land Information New Zealand, phone +64 4 471 6330, mobile +64 27 278 3968, email media@linz.govt.nz.