As you know I am not as small boat person. The Zodiacs scare me a little and it is mainly the getting in and out of these rubber boats that terrifies me the most. I have personally spoken to the Zodiac Master and he said that I will be fine and if 80 year olds can get in and out of these things then I will be fine. I did ask if anyone has fallen in to which he replied no. But my team of people are not sure whether he is actually telling us the truth. Like the Mokoros in the Okavango Delta, I have no choice but to put my faith in the people who know what they are doing, suck it all up and just go with the flow. I am in Antarctica after all right!
The expeditions are made possible by the versatility of the Zodiac landing craft. The Zodiacs have 7 different chambers. Tough as they are, if several chambers were to be somehow punctured at once, the Zodiac would still float and be able to carry passengers to safety. They are remarkably more stable than any other craft of their size
We will be supplied with a light weight lifejacket that must be adjusted correctly and worn at all times while aboard a Zodiac. You will be given a briefing outlining the use of the lifejackets. Your lifejacket must be the absolute last article of clothing that you put on apart from a backpack. Never wear s coat or rain poncho over your lifejacket. Backpacks however must be worn over your lifejacket.
Dressing properly for the excursion is essential for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of your fellow passengers. Always dress for colder than current conditions-the weather may change drastically during the course of your excursion. We highly recommend dressing in layers with a waterproof outer layer-always expect to get wet. You can remove layers such as a fleece if the weather becomes warm and store them in your pack. If you do not have extra layers available should it become cold, this will impact the enjoyment of your excursion. Waterproof footwear up to your knee is essential for getting in and out of the Zodiacs on shore. If you do not have appropriate footwear, a lifejacket and proper clothing with both hands free, the staff member at the top of the gangway will not allow you to proceed.
Always stay clear of the Zodiacs deck during crane operations.
The Expedition Leader and staff hold briefings before each excursion. Details of conditions and terrain will be given at this time. Soon after, a disembarkation announcement will be made over the public address system. Before proceeding down the gangway, you must be dressed properly with your lifejacket fastened and BOTH HANDS FREE. Store all items such as cameras inside a plastic bag in your daypack. Pass large items such as tripods and walking sticks to the crew member at the top of the gangway and they will pass it down to the driver for you. It is essential that you listen to the instructions of the driver with regard to both when and where to step. On occasion, the boat will be rising and falling with the swell alongside the ship. Timing may be critical. Wait for the instructions of the drover and step accordingly. NERVER JUMP. Always take a hand where it is offered-use the sailor’s grip where you grab each other by the forearm. Do not stand in the Zodiac. Sit down immediately and slide to the position indicated by the driver and hold onto one of the safety ropes. Please listen to the instructions of the Zodiac driver at all times. The driver is responsible for your safety.
If your boat is lucky enough to encounter wildlife, the driver may approach closely. Please ask the driver for permission to stand. Kneeling on the deck facing out and braced against the pontoon maybe the best viewing and photographic position.
After the boat is secure on the beach, wait your turn and then slide along the pontoon to the bow-never stand or walk. A staff member will be at the bow to assist you. Simply swing your legs TOWARDS THE WATER over the pontoon and stand up. Never attempt to step or jump out of a Zodiac. In heavy surf, the boat mat=y be launched or landed stern first. In this case it is important to listen carefully to the instructions of the driver. Never step over the wooden transform at the stern of the boat. Accept a hand on shore. You will walk though some water from the boat to the beach and there maybe slippery stones. The crew and the staff are not judging your ability when extending a hand-they do it for everyone. The Expedition Leader or Assistant may give you last minute details regarding wildlife and boundaries as you come ashore. The landing site may change throughout the course of the landing due to tide or ice conditions.
If you hear the ships horn at any time during your landing, PROCEED IMMEDIATLEY TO THE LANDING SITE. This is the Captains signal that the landing must be aborted. Even if you hear the horn in perfect conditions, it is being blown for good reason-the Captain does not use this signal lightly. For example, there may be a pack of brash ice (small piece of floating ice) blowing towards the landing site that would trap the Zodiacs on shore.
To re-board the Zodiacs, assemble at the water’s edge with your lifejacket and belongings secured. A designated staff member at the beach will indicate when and where to board a boat. Simply sit on the pontoon and swing your legs TOWARDS THE OPEN WATER over the pontoon and then slide into position towards the stern. Once the boat has returned to the gangway, accept the hand of the driver and the gangway sailor to disembark. Once again, be sure that your hands are free and that you pass large items to the driver. It is much safer to take the hand of the driver or gangway sailor than it is too grab hold of the gangway itself. Wash your boots thoroughly at the station provided. This is not only important to ensure that we do not carry unwanted organisms from one site to another, it is also important for a clean smelling ship.
A RECAP OF THE ESSENTIALS:
Always have both hands free for the gangway
Always listen to the instructions of the driver
Always take a hand that is offered
Always dress to expect foul weather
Always expect to get wet
Always make sure your lifejacket is properly secured
Always swing your legs toward the water
Never jump into or out of a boat
Never stand in the boat without the driver’s permission
Always remember to have fun
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