At Sea
It is hard to believe that we, the guests of National Geographic Endeavour, started our journey to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica almost three weeks ago. As I try and think back to our first landing in the Falklands, my mind at first can only recall a stream of penguins, seals, and sea birds blurring by, until I reach my desired destination of white sandy beaches and striated caracara’s – yet it all still seems a lifetime ago.
Our experiences on this expedition have been original and exhilarating, both above and below the surface of the Southern Ocean. Antarctica is one of the least explored undersea environments on the planet, and only a handful of research has been done on the underwater benthos continent wide. One of the most thrilling aspects of our voyages to the Antarctic is the search for the unknown below the surface, as so few of the creatures here are catalogued in any underwater guide. Using the ROV, or Remotely Operated Vehicle, Undersea Specialist Dennis Cornejo and I are able to explore down to depths of 500 feet, a distance that previously had only been surveyed by dredging. The ROV allows us to look at the amazingly resilient organisms of Antarctica, seeing them in their natural habits, creating films for all onboard to enjoy in the comfort of the lounge on board.
Using this specialized piece of equipment, it is not unusual for us to find a creature that has never been previously documented or categorized. At Cuverville Island, we found a creature that has been documented, but the behavior was never completely described. Five years ago while visiting the United States Antarctic Program’s Base, Palmer Station, Dennis and I looked in awe at the sun stars in the research tanks. At the time we had only seen one while using the ROV, as they are concentrated only in certain areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. When we asked the researchers about what they were eating, they commented that they assumed they were filter feeders, as they often sit with many of their arms (numbering up to 32) in the air, catching the plankton swimming by. The scientists also commented that they thought the Sun Star was eating krill, making it a voracious predator by Antarctic standards, but were still not positive - their only clue being that they put krill in the same tank as the sun stars, and after a day the krill were gone. Well yesterday we proved the theory: flying at a depth of 492 feet, this sun star was observed catching passing krill on its tentacles, and drawing them towards its mouth. This evening Dennis shared this discovery with the guests of National Geographic Endeavour, and we look forward to sharing with the scientists of Palmer.
Whether it is above or below the water’s surface, our expedition to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica has afforded us many enchantments and astonishments. We are some of the lucky few to have experienced this incredible seventh continent.
It is hard to believe that we, the guests of National Geographic Endeavour, started our journey to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica almost three weeks ago. As I try and think back to our first landing in the Falklands, my mind at first can only recall a stream of penguins, seals, and sea birds blurring by, until I reach my desired destination of white sandy beaches and striated caracara’s – yet it all still seems a lifetime ago.
Our experiences on this expedition have been original and exhilarating, both above and below the surface of the Southern Ocean. Antarctica is one of the least explored undersea environments on the planet, and only a handful of research has been done on the underwater benthos continent wide. One of the most thrilling aspects of our voyages to the Antarctic is the search for the unknown below the surface, as so few of the creatures here are catalogued in any underwater guide. Using the ROV, or Remotely Operated Vehicle, Undersea Specialist Dennis Cornejo and I are able to explore down to depths of 500 feet, a distance that previously had only been surveyed by dredging. The ROV allows us to look at the amazingly resilient organisms of Antarctica, seeing them in their natural habits, creating films for all onboard to enjoy in the comfort of the lounge on board.
Using this specialized piece of equipment, it is not unusual for us to find a creature that has never been previously documented or categorized. At Cuverville Island, we found a creature that has been documented, but the behavior was never completely described. Five years ago while visiting the United States Antarctic Program’s Base, Palmer Station, Dennis and I looked in awe at the sun stars in the research tanks. At the time we had only seen one while using the ROV, as they are concentrated only in certain areas of the Antarctic Peninsula. When we asked the researchers about what they were eating, they commented that they assumed they were filter feeders, as they often sit with many of their arms (numbering up to 32) in the air, catching the plankton swimming by. The scientists also commented that they thought the Sun Star was eating krill, making it a voracious predator by Antarctic standards, but were still not positive - their only clue being that they put krill in the same tank as the sun stars, and after a day the krill were gone. Well yesterday we proved the theory: flying at a depth of 492 feet, this sun star was observed catching passing krill on its tentacles, and drawing them towards its mouth. This evening Dennis shared this discovery with the guests of National Geographic Endeavour, and we look forward to sharing with the scientists of Palmer.
Whether it is above or below the water’s surface, our expedition to the Falklands, South Georgia, and Antarctica has afforded us many enchantments and astonishments. We are some of the lucky few to have experienced this incredible seventh continent.
