Nov 23

Nov 23 Day 05 - Petermann Island

This afternoon, blue skies and sunshine greet us as Silver Endeavour approaches Petermann Island. Guests have been divided into four groups for disembarkation and each group disembarks approximately 30 minutes after the previous group. The groups are designated by colors (Green, Yellow, Blue and Red). We are assigned to the Blue group and our group is scheduled as the next to last to board the Zodiacs.

As for excursion gear, we are each wearing long underwear, a second layer of flannel (in my case) and blue jeans over which we place our waterproof pants*, insulated vest and finally our red Silversea parka* which also has an insulated liner. Rickee and I also wear neck gaiters and knit hat to keep our head and neck warm. Finally, glove liners and waterproof gloves on our hands and waterproof boots*.

*gear provided by Silversea to all guests

So far on this journey, we have been boarding the Zodiacs through a large door on the side of the vessel. Sailors hold ropes to keep the Zodiac pulled next to the hull of the ship while the Zodiac pilot and another sailor help guests step into the Zodiac. Guests are instructed to use the “sailor’s grip” (see photo below), step onto the Zodiac and sit down immediately, then scoot to the position where you want to sit, or where the Zodiac pilot instructs you to sit.

There is an emphasis on safety at all times and each Zodiac cruise begins with a short safety briefing on what to do in the event of an emergency.

Below, Victoria explains what the procedures are should someone go overboard while on the Zodiac. Of course, there are ropes along each side of the Zodiac for guests to hold on to during the cruise. Fortunately, after dozens of Zodiac cruises on various cruise lines, we have never seen anyone go overboard on a Zodiac, even though it has happened.

The skies and sun offer a really amazing view of Silver Endeavour as our Zodiac cruises to Petermann Island.

As we cruise along the coast of the island, we can see some Adelie penguins walking on the rocks.

There are some amazing icebergs and “bergie bits” floating in the waters around the island today. A “bergie bit” is a chunk of ice that has broken off of a larger iceberg and measures from 5 to 15 meters in length. Any chunk of ice under 5 meters is considered a “growler”.

After we cruise around the island, looking at the icebergs and taking photos, it is time for our landing on Petermann Island. There are international guidelines for tourism in Antarctica stating that no more than 100 people at any one time should be on an island. Therefore, the Zodiacs take guests in rotation to the island and the remaining guests enjoy a cruise around the island until it is their turn to visit.

Prior to guests arriving at the island, the team of expedition leaders have visited the island to insure that it is safe to make a landing and to create walking paths for the guests to follow. The paths are marked with red flags and the deep snow has been packed down to make walking easier.

To make walking up the elevations easier, the paths are zig-zagged to minimize any steep climbs on slippery surfaces.

There are several different paths laid out on the island and we decide to take one that leads to a colony of Gentoo penguins.

The Gentoo penguins seem unphased by our presence on their island, periodically hopping across our walking path, or using our path as their own penguin highway.

The path today is only about two feet wide and if you step off the path, you might find your leg sinking into 36” of snow. Walking poles are provided for those who want them.

There are small colonies of penguins all over Petermann Island.

After about an hour on the island, we return to the warmth of Silver Endeavour and, from our balcony, we can see the expedition team returning the Zodiacs to the ship.