Term 2 Autumn 2023

Term 2 Autumn 2023

How would we survive at the South Pole?

This term, Year 2 will use these key questions to build our learning to answer our final enquiry question "How would we survive at the South Pole?"

Where is the South Pole?
What is a polar climate like?
Do animals live in Antarctica?
How could we get to the South Pole?
Are there any people at the South Pole?
What do people wear at the South Pole?

Video-calling Matt Neill, Captain of the RRS Sir David Attenborough to ask questions about Antarctica!

Here are the questions we asked Matt with his answers!

What was your favourite visit to Antarctica?

Every visit to Antarctica is a chance of a lifetime – every time is different. I loved last season because we brought the new ship to Antarctica for the first time, it was very challenging. I also got to do a lot of parts of the job I really enjoy like beach landing in our small boats. Two of our crew also got married on the ship in Antarctica.

What is your job as Chief Officer?

I have been promoted to Captain. As Captain, I am in charge of the ship and everybody on board. I have to make sure everybody stays safe, that we have enough food, supplies and fuel on board the ship and that we get to where we are supposed to go!

The Chief Officer on board the ship runs all the day to day operations. I will give orders on what needs to be done and the Chief Officer makes it happen.

Do you miss your family and friends?

I do miss my family and friends. It can be difficult being away from home for months at a time; it is always a celebration when I come home. Thankfully on board, I work with a lot of my friends and we are like a big family when we are working on the ship. We celebrate each other’s birthdays and look after people when they are having a bad day.

How cold is it in the summer?

It is always freezing (below 0°C). Depending how far south we go it can get down to -50°C with windchill. Normally it is around -10°C

Can you see penguins and seals? What wildlife have you seen there? Are there husky dogs in Antarctica?

I get to see lots of wildlife – there is so much wildlife in Antarctica.

Fur seals
Elephant seals
Weddell seals
Leopard seals
Crabeater seals
Minke, sai, humpback, killer, sperm and blue whales
Albatross, petrels
Rockhopper, gentoo, adelie, king, emperor, macaroni, chinstrap penguins

There used to be huskies in Antarctica – they were brought from the Arctic to help pull sleds but they have all been taken out of Antarctica now

Can you see anything except icebergs from the ship?

There is always lots to see from the ship:

Icebergs and sea ice
Mountains
Wildlife
Beautiful clouds and skies
Big waves

How much food do you have to take with you?

We take enough food to feed 90 people for 12 months – that is in case we get stuck in the ice and have to stay there over the winter. We would run out of fresh food eventually and would live on tinned and frozen food.

How does it feel to be so far away from anywhere else?

It is an amazing feeling – I love being far away from everything but it can also be challenging because if something were to happen that we needed help, it would be quite a long time before somebody could come help us.

How did it feel setting sail on the ship across the oceans?

I love sailing across the oceans – when we leave England, it is weeks before we get to see land again; it is very relaxing being away from everybody else in the world!

What do you wear when you are there?

It all depends on the weather – it can be very cold and windy so we have to wear lots of layers of clothes.

Underwear and socks
Thermals (top and bottom)
Fleecy trousers and top
Windproof trousers and top
Big snow boots
Gloves
Hat
Goggles or sun glasses
Hard hat

How do you keep safe there?

Keeping everybody safe is the main part of my job. We have to make sure everybody has the right training and equipment to be able to do their job safely. Before we start any work, all the people involved have a meeting to discuss the plan for the job and everybody is given a role to do. There would always be somebody in charge to look after everybody. If there are any issues then anyone can raise their concern.

Do you ever see other ships there?

There are a few other ships; research ships from other countries, cruise ships and some naval vessels

How dangerous might it be on your next adventure?

I am joining the ship at the end of January in Punta Arenas, Chile. We are going to be undertaking science in Antarctica for the first time. All the places that we are going to will be for the first time on the new ship so we will have to take everything slow and ensure we really think about what we need to do before doing it! It will be a real adventure.

How long did it take you to get there?

I flew from the UK (RAF Brize Norton) to the Falkland Islands, 19 hour flight then joined the ship and sailed South. It takes about three days so reach the Antarctic peninsula by ship.