Rising out from cornflower waters is the badly wounded orange hull of a cruise ship reminiscent of a monument that marks the end of Antarctica’s end of innocence. Upon the overturned vessels, penguins perch calmly oblivious to the danger found in the thin oily layer glistening around. The tens of thousands of diesel fuel gallons that poured through the shipwreck has evaporated since however, more is leaking out gradually.
Times are evolving indeed at the last frontier of this planet. Tons of bulldozers, aircraft, ships and amphibious trucks are being dispatched by countries that aim to claim a portion of the Frozen Continent. With fanfare that runs through their respective nations, bases are built and research projects are launched. Cruise ships, military planes or supply vessels contracted by specialized travel agencies all over the world cause weeks throughout the austral summer to brim with hundreds and hundreds of well heeled travelers. You’ll get further resources on antarctica tours by visiting there.
The Earth’s final frontier requires no passport so private yachts and polar skiing expeditions are able to bring people into this place with much ease. Accidents are happening, and in the case of the cruise ship Antarctic wildlife paid the price as a host of legal, environmental and highly political questions are surging up like the hazardous icebergs in Antarctica’s poorly charted seas. No one owns the frozen continent so no laws apply to it based on the Antarctic Treaty’s stipulations.
Twelve nations, back in 1961 went into this treaty that enabled peaceful research to come into Antarctica as all these countries in the treaty waived their territorial claims for at least 30 years. As eight powerful nations that joined the pact were granted full voting powers, 18 nations were only given observer status while agreeing to abide by all its rules. Treaty nations hold meetings every couple of years. The group succeeded in drafting a plan that will allow strictly regulated exploration and exploitation of the frozen continent’s vase resources of minerals. They now get harassed with so many challenges thrown their way especially with matters on indemnification, base proliferation, marine and air safety, as well as facilities for medical and rescue missions.
About a hundred travelers ride on ships set to call on Palmer, and all these 30 plus ships come in during the attractive austral summer season. The wild beast that is tourism is often without a leash. The Science Foundation did not succeed in totally deterring tourists from coming in last year, who they believe to slow down the research operations. But the ban was lifted when influential Americans complained, claiming a right to see how their tax dollars are being spent. If you need more details on antarctic tours visit there.
One of the valuable employees of the station also include a medical corpsman over at a small room which is able to hold even up to around four dozens of people working over at the compound. It is not built for the task of handling maritime catastrophes. It is only fair weather than can prevent a disaster from happening, share the workers from the station. Lifeboats in the sunken cruise ship were mainly open inflatable rafts but the oars and motors are no longer there. The day was calm and by way of station work boats, towing it ashore was very possible. On the positive side, workers share that if this got overturned or if it got blown out to sea thanks to the complicated Antarctic weather, things would become much more difficult.
Not wasting any time, the National Science Foundation responded to the oil spill by dispatching navy and civilian pollution control experts to use specialized equipment weighing 52 tons and clean up the mess as much as they can to limit the repercussions of the oil spill disaster.The mission went beyond 2 million dollars. Chile and Argentina’s navy are sent in for expensive clean up missions. The middle of March saw the conclusion of the clean up drive but the ship is impossible to be reached and pumped out safely and it will keep pumping out poison as it contains over 63,000 gallons more and the worst case if a winter storm comes and tears the wreckage apart, which means more spills to come. Hauling the ruins away would prove to be too costly, states the experts.
The area where the spill is home to birds like penguins, skuas, Arctic terns, cormorants and many other kinds. The bay is frequently passed through by seals and whales. It has been established by most scientists that indeed, many birds and penguins died from the oil spill but the extent of the damage caused is far from being established. Experts on research from the countries Chile, America and Argentina have arrived to study the repercussions of the spill to the environment. To be completed, so many years will have to pass and this without the promise of any damages to be rewarded.
No property rights on the area or around Palmer Station are held by America and so they do not have legal grounds to fight for any form of compensation on the accident’s venue and it is only Chile, Argentina and Great Britain that can claim something as they have rights to the Antarctic Peninsula. Very recently, it was proclaimed by Chile that come the next Antarctic Treaty, they shall propose an article which will put a hold on each country, ordering them to answer financially in the event of another environmental damage or similar problems. The Science Foundation is currently trying to organize a coordinating office for emergencies on an international scope, along with an agreement to share costs of clean up missions especially for spills and other similar unwanted events.
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