British Antarctic Survey Logistics Expedition 2025 - A rendezvous in the middle of nowhere

The mission was to recover scientific equipment from previous projects and establish depots for future field operations. Scientific fieldwork in this fast-changing region helps us understand more about Earth’s changing climate and rising sea levels. 

The plan required success from three teams: a tractor traverse hauling equipment across the icy landscape; Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough (SDA) cutting through sea ice to find a safe spot at the shelf edge; and ski-equipped BAS Twin Otter aircraft supporting the whole operation. 

The SDA departed from the Falkland Islands on 20 December 2024, heading south across the notoriously rough Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula and beyond. At the English Coast, the first job was to find a section of ice cliff for the ship to come alongside – allowing cargo and fuel to be unloaded. The location had to be safely accessible for the tractor traverse team, who were driving across Antarctica to meet the ship. 

The Stange Ice Shelf has a number of ‘creeks’. These narrow areas of accessible water are created as the ice shelf advances in a series of fingers, approximately 1km wide. The ship entered the first creek on 1 January 2025. Grey, overcast conditions, sea ice and icebergs created an other-worldly environment, eerily quiet as the 15,000 tonne vessel crept forward. However, the overhanging ice walls and unfavourable ramp meant a quick rejection. 

Creek 3A was more promising. The ice cliff was 15m high, level with Deck 6 (the ship’s helideck) and at the limit for crane operations. Polar field guides were deployed to assess the top of the ice shelf. As the hours passed a safe zone gradually expanded, becoming a flagged area 120m long and 100m wide. The decision was made to commit. Creek 3A was renamed Gromit’s Creek and would be the ship’s home for the next three weeks. 

Attention turned to the progress of the tractor traverse, still hundreds of kilometres away up on the ice sheet. It was essential that they made it to the ship in time to offload scientific equipment and supplies, collected from previous deep field sites. 

At the ship, a cargo loading area was created, also a fuelling zone and roadway. A depot was established for the traverse cargo. Finally, a skiway was marked out for ski-equipped BAS Twin Otter aircraft to land and take off. Based at Sky Blu Field Station, 400km away, the Twin Otters would provide essential support for the whole operation. 

On 11 January, the tractor traverse team were spotted heading towards the ship for the final few kilometres of an epic journey. With their cargo parked in the depot, weary drivers and polar guides were welcomed on board. 

With the traverse team loaded up with fuel and equipment and heading out for a final time, and the last Twin Otter safely back at Sky Blu, the SDA left Gromit’s Creek on 20 January for Rothera Research Station, returning to the station 24 days after leaving for the English Coast. 

Antarctica is an incredibly difficult place to do anything and the whole operation was a great example of BAS at its best. The expertise and professionalism needed to achieve success was exemplary, offering a unique capability for a national operator – a coordinated effort from land, sea and air in support of Antarctic science. 

We acknowledge with thanks the help and assistance of British Antarctic Survey.