News in this edition:

17-01. End of busiest non-government season on record nears.
17-02. Snow boarding, skiing groups, explore Peninsula, Vinson regions.
17-03. Airline increases scope for non-government operations in Peninsula region.
17-04. ATV use aimed at improving Ross Sea visit options.
17-05. Marine cancels planned 'Pole to Pole' voyage.
17-06. Inside view of 'Millennium' activities published, balloonists argue about pole flight.
17-07. WCC voyages conduct landings, passenger transfer operation.
17-08. Potential for Iridium telephone system to shut down this week.
17-09. Press reports indicate 'Olga Sadovskaya' purchase still proposed.
17-10. Coming events relevant to non-government activities.

IN READING PLEASE NOTE: This newsletter is being produced in the interest of improved information sharing in the Antarctic community. Inclusion of information in it should not be taken to imply endorsement, by the publishers of ANAN News, of any company, program or associated activity that is listed, nor that the activity has necessarily completed all environmental impact assessments required under the legislation of the 'home' nation.

The busiest season on record for non-government activity in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic region is nearing completion, with only a handful of non-tourist operations known to be scheduled to continue into April. Non-government flight operations to the continent concluded at the end of January, day overflights to East Antarctica in mid-February, and the last ship-based tourist operations for the season are expected to reach gateway ports for the final time this season over the next few days.

While detailed figures are unavailable at this time, it is known that a record number of non-government ships, yachts and other vessels undertook or supported a wide range of operations during the 1999-2000 season, including general sightseeing, wildlife watching, shore visits, camping, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, scuba diving, kyaking, wind surfer and board surfing, and support for national program and other research activities.

Given the number of ships and voyages, average passenger loadings would have to had dropped dramatically from those of previous years if the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators' (IAATO) June 1999 prediction that close to 14,000 tourists were likely to set foot on the continent in 1999-2000, up 4000 on the previous season, is not to be reached or even exceeded. Anecdotal evidence suggests that passenger loadings have been very good for most if not all ship-based tour companys.

In the interior, air supported activities by long-time operator Adventure Network International and the one-off 'Millennium' expedition resulted in record numbers of people operating from the Patriot Hills area of Ellsworth Land. Operations conducted from there included mountaineering, snowboarding, skiing, wildlife visits, hot air ballooning, sky diving, vehicle traverses, and a variety of solo or small group overland treks to the South Geographic Pole (SGP) and beyond.

Initial analysis suggests for example that in the two months from 23 November at least ninety-seven tourists or adventurers visited the earth's southern-most point. They were accompanied by around twenty-four air crew and six staff, making a total of over 130 non-government visitors. This is a record number and it occured at a time that the U.S. Amundsen-Scott SGP station is heavily involved in science and rebuilding operations and had itself to cope with record numbers of staff on station (ANAN-11/02, 22 December 1999). Initial estimates put the amount of non-government time spent at the SGP this season at close to 260 person days.

Industry analysts with considerable experience in the region contacted by ANAN appeared in little doubt that the 1999-2000 season will prove to be the largest on record for non-government operations in and around Antarctica. Asked about their views on the future however there was less certainty. A few thought that the season just ending was a 'blip' associated with 'Millennium fever', while for most the future is one of continued growth in the non-governmental sphere. The latter group were generally unwilling to be drawn however on what they thought the key growth areas might be.

One university researcher was prepared to point to large ship operations as being a key area of interest, saying that it will be 'very interesting' to see how companies who operated large ships this season use their experiences to plan future operations by their ships in the region. The World Cruise Company of Canada is planning operations by its charter vessel 'Ocean Explorer I' next season (see ANAN-17/07 following), as is Orient Lines operator of the 'Marco Polo' (ANAN-13/02, 19 January 2000), however it is not known at this time whether U.S. based Holland America Line-Westours, operators of the 'Rotterdam' which can carry almost 1000 passengers (ANAN-13/01, 19 January 2000), have plans for Antarctic operations in the future.

As far as can be determined no non-government expeditions are planning to stay in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic region for the 2000 austral winter. At least two winter-over expeditions by non-government groups are known to have been undertaken in 1999 (ANAN-11/13, 22 December 1999).

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Two small expeditions, one air supported and the other ship-based, climbed a number of peaks and visited other areas in the Vinson Massif and Antarctic Peninsula and areas in December and again in February to undertake skiing and snow boarding descents. The publicity generated by these programs via active sites on the internet is thought likely to generate an increase in the range of similar programs being offered commercially in Antarctica over the next few years.

A six person group spent several weeks in the region of Antarctica's highest mountain, Vinson Massif, in Ellsworth Land, in December. During their time there Doug Stoup, Stephen Koch, Mark Newcomb and Doug Coombs, all from the U.S., made what they believe was the first snow board descent of Vinson Massif and the first ski and snow board descent of nearby Mount Shinn. They were carried to the Patriot Hills in Ellsworth Land from Punta Arenas and to the climbing area and return by U.K. based commercial air operator Adventure Network International (ANI).

During a two week voyage from Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Antarctic Peninsula on board the 'Akademic Shulyekin' from 11-25 February, Stoup and Koch were joined by others to undertake similar activities. This program, which was also organised via ANI, was supported by Marine Expeditions (MEI) of Canada, charterer of the vessel.

In the ten days they spent in the area, during which support their activities had to be integrated with those of regular passengers, the group climbed a number of peaks and descended on skis or snow boards. According to the expedition web site these activities took place on King George Island, adjacent to Culverville Island, in the Paradise Bay area, Neko Harbour, and near Port Lockroy on Weinke Island. While not planned prior to the voyage preparations were made during the voyage to climb and descend Mount Francais on Anvers Island, the highest peak in the region, however conditions prevented the attempt. The Penola Strait area was the furthest south reached with climbs being made in that area.

The group's reports suggest that their visit was an initial reconnaissance of the region that could lead to further activities there over the next few years. A number of independent groups have expressed the view that this area is likely to be of considerable interest to climbers and other adventure groups in the past (ANAN-16/01, 1 March 2000 and ANAN-2/03, 18 August 1999). It is understood that the fifty-three passenger vessel 'Akademic Shuleykin', which MEI intends to use to support 'private programs and groups' in 2000-01 (ANAN-17/05 following), will be used at least in part for adventure type activities such as skiing and snow boarding.

The Mountain Zone web site is a well-known and popular site amongst modern-day alpinists. While those involved in this season's venture are considered as being some of the foremost in their field, the inclusion of the group's Antarctic activities on the site seems likely to generate interest in the region amongst the general skiing, snowboarding and climbing fraternity.

Dispatches and photogaphs from both expeditions can been accessed on Mountain Zone's web site.

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Tourist flights by the small Chilean regional air line La linea aerea de la Patagonia (DAP) from Punta Arenas, Chile, to King George Island in the South Shetlands have operated for a number of years, however the company is now offering, in conjunction with affiliates, an extension of that service in a move that has the potential to increase the scope of non-government activity in the Peninsula region.

The operations currently on offer each austral summer, which are based around use of a twin-engined de Havilland DHC-6 300 'Twin Otter' aircraft, involve a range of logistics combinations, from a day return flight from Punta Arenas, to overnight stays at Chile's Presidente Aduardo Frei station, and extended stays involving yacht voyages from Frei down the Antarctic Peninsula or via ski-equipped aircraft to many parts of that region.

Flights from Punta Arenas are to the Chilean national program's 1292 m long Tenente Marsh airfield which is adjacent to the year-round Presidente Aduardo Frei research station on King George Island. The air facility, in common with virtually all substantial airfields in Antarctica, has only limited air navigation facilities. Weather therefore plays a key part in the conduct of flight operations, a factor which seems likely to limit developments in this area for at least the next few years. Another limiting factor at this time is that DAP currently only has one Twin Otter in its inventory.

Technical developments underway in the field of air navigation aids have, according to experts in that field, the potential over the next decade to allow landings and take offs in what at the present time may be unacceptible weather conditions. The systems, which are reported to be relatively inexpensive, may, should they be introduced at Tenente Marsh, enable a more reliable 'scheduled' service to that facility to be established. Attempts have been made previously to utilise this airfield as a staging point for tourists going to, and coming from, a tourist vessel, however these were not successful as the air service was too often effected by poor weather conditions.

DAP is an experienced operator on the Punta-Marsh route, having conducted around thirty Twin Otter flights to and from King George Island over the past ten years to carry various national program personnel and limited cargo. Current plans call for at least thirteen of these flights to be made between October 2000 and April 2001, one each in October and November, and two each in January, February, March and April. Seats on the flights, which overnight on King George Island can, when available, be booked by tourists wishing to visit the island for an overnight stay or longer. Estimates put the number of tourists who have taken part in that service over the last decade at around 150.

A day return charter flight takes around thirteen hours, only two to three of which are spent at Frei and in the immediate vicinity. The flight across the Drake Passage from Punta Arenas lasts between four and five hours one way, depending on the prevailing conditions. Provided arrangements are made well prior to leaving Punta Arenas, visitors have the option of staying for one or more nights at Frei. If only an overnight stay is planned the aircraft too stays overnight, however with longer visits it normally returns to Punta after delivering people to the station and returns to pick them up on the date required as weather allows.

The cost of a night's stay at Frei is put at $US200 per person, overnight accommodation being provided at the 'Villa Las Estrellas', one of the buildings at the Frei station complex, or optionally what is reported as an 'insulated' Antarctic tent. During their stay passengers visit wildlife in the general area and where possible national program stations of many other countries on King George Island.

DAP and its affiliates are now offering opportunities to extend visits beyond King George Island in the period from December to March, with transport south from there being via either ski-equipped aircraft or commercially operated yachts.

Little detail is available on the aircraft on-flight option and the company appears to waiting for potential clients to outline their needs, rather than actively target specific activities. Theoretically at least flights could be provided to many points throughout the Antarctic Peninsula and potentially even beyond to the Patriot Hills area of Ellsworth Land where the Chilean national program has been operating in recent years. Given the potential for skiing and snowboarding in the Peninsula region to grow in the next few years (ANAN-17/02 proceeding), one possibility is for one of the four light helicopters DAP currently has in its inventory to be used in support of a 'heli skiing' type operation of the kind that have proved so popular elsewhere in the world in recent decades. No plans for this have been developed to date however.

In the yacht option one or more boats would be positioned at King George Island prior to aircraft arrival. From there they would take passengers further south along the Peninsula over a period of a week or more, possibly travelling as far south as Penola Strait if time and conditions allow. At the completion of the sailing program their clinets would travel back to Frei and be flown back to Punta Arenas from King George Island as weather permits.

A number of yachts currently operate commercially each season from Puerto Wiliams, Chile, and Ushuaia, Argentina, to the Peninsula. Typical return voyages from southern South America take around twenty-eight days, a week or more of which is often spent in total crossing the Drake Passage. While it is currently difficult to gaurantee flight schedules between South America and King George Island, the DAP option offers the potential to visit the Peninsula as part of a small vessel operation without the difficulties involved in crossing the Drake Passage, and potentially in less time.

The cost of the options currently being advertised frange from around $US2100 per person for a day round trip, to close to $US10,000 per person for a five to seven day stay, although this depends on just what support is required.

Detailed information on the DAP flights is to be provided in the the second edition of the Lonely Planet company's "Antarctica: A Travel Survival Kit" which due to be published in September in time for the 2000-01 tourist season (ANAN-13/03, 19 January 2000). Given that publication's wide circulation increased interest in the DAP operation appears possible. Further information on the flights is available now at http://www.victory-cruises.com/fly_antarctica.html.

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Heritage Expeditions, the New Zealand company which has conducted tourist voyages to the Ross Sea region since 1994, late last year purchased two all-terrain vehicles (ATV) for ship-shore transport of passengers when fast ice conditions block their ship 'Akademic Shokalskiy' from reaching the Victoria Land coast. Heritage anticipates that these vehicles will improve their chances of delivering clients to locations such as the U.S. McMurdo station, New Zealand's Scott Base, Capes Royds and Evans and other locations, including the Dry Valleys.

'Shokalskiy' is ice strengthened but has little ice breaking capability. The fast ice that often lingers along parts of the Ross Sea coast well into summer, and which sometimes extends up to ten kilometres off-shore, presents a challenge for the company's tour operations, particularly in a heavy ice season. Orient Lines large passenger vessel 'Marco Polo, which has similar ice capabilities to 'Shokalskiy', has also faced similar difficulties since it commenced voyages to the area in 1994 (ANAN-13/02, 19 January 2000).

The two ATVs were carried on both voyages 'Shokalskiy' undertook from New Zealand last January and February, however weather and ice conditions prevented them from being trialled this season. In the vicinity of McMurdo Sound, where problems with fast ice are often experienced, poor weather prevented a landing being attempted from 'Shokalskiy' on 21 January, while on the second visit on 15 February open water prevailed, therefore 'Zodiacs' were used for ship-shore operations. 'Marco Polo' was also able to take advantage of the mid-February conditions, 485 passengers, staff and crew making it ashore on what is expected to be her last visit to the region (ANAN-13/02, 19 January 2000).

Heritage's 2000-01 brochure indicates that the ATVs will be used next season to provide over ice transport, and that if conditions dictate and the fast ice situation is acceptable, passengers will be transported ashore to places of interest. Included in the latter is the potential to use the ATVs to land people ashore north of McMurdo Sound from where they would walk into the Lower Taylor Valley, one of the famous Dry Valleys. This area has been visited by tourists on previous occasions, however all such visits have been made using helicopters from the icebreaker 'Kapitan Khlebnikov'.

New Zealand requires its tour operators to comply with the Dry Valleys Code of Conduct which was developed by New Zealand and the U.S. and first trialled in the 1996-97 season. That code specifically notes that ground vehicle use should be restricted to ice and snow areas. The proposed visits to the Dry Valleys by Heritage Expeditions will be reviewed as part of NZ's normal environmental assessment process.

The two plastic bodied 'Argo' ATVs purchased by Heritage were built in Canada and are widely used in North America . They have eight wheels with low pressure tyres and a light 'footprint'. With trailers attached each can transport between fourteen and sixteen people, or around thirty people at a time. The ATVs can by themselves float, although this is thought to be less likely when the trailers are attached. Given that 'Shokalskiy' can carry up to forty-six passengers, should all wish to go ashore, a second trip by the two vehicles would be required to meet that requirement.

An 'Argo' ATV has been in use at New Zealand's Scott Base since 1998. Other national programs have utilised them in the past with mixed success.

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Marine Expeditions (MEI) of Canada has cancelled, due to lack of bookings, its 'Pole to Pole' tourist voyage from Antarctica to the Arctic which was due to commence in Ushuaia, Argentina, earlier this month on the 'Lyubov Orlova'.

The Antarctic segment of the voyage was to have left Ushuaia and travel to the Antarctic Peninsula, across the Bellinghausen Sea to Siple Island and then the Balleny Islands, before arriving in Lyttleton, New Zealand in the first half of April. From there the ship was to travel across the Pacific to South East Asia, through the Suez Canal, then up the Atlantic Coast of Europe to the Arctic. Instead the vessel is now to undertake operations in the Amazon region of South America in March and April.

Malta registered, Russia owned, 'Orlova' was used by MEI for the first time this season to replace the 'Disko' which it had used for a total of twenty-three Antarctic voyages from 1997-99. Built in Yugoslavia in 1976, 'Orlova' is 100 m long, has a gross tonnage of 4251 and carries up to 128 passengers and 63 crew. It is one of the eight 'Maria Ermolva' class vessels constructed, a series which includes the 'Alla Tarasova' (now the 'Clipper Adventurer' operated by Clipper Cruise Lines after a reported $US16M refit), and the 'Olga Sadovskaya' that the Southern Australian Shipping Company was pursuing last year (ANAN-10/03, 8 December 1999, and ANAN-17/09 following). 'Disko' was marketed be ME as the 'Marine Endeavour' and 'Orlova' is being marketed as the 'Marine Discovery'.

Marine has chartered three or more ships over each of the past five seasons, however its 2000-01 brochure released in January indicates only two will be used for MEI's general voyages, the 116 berth 'Akademic Ioffe' and 128 berth 'Lyubov Orlova'. According to the company the smaller fifty-three berth 'Akademic Shuleykin' which MEI has chartered for the last four seasons will be used by MEI for private programs and groups in 2000-01 (see ANAN-17/02 proceeding).

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Photographs and several articles by 'Millennium' expedition participants published in recent weeks have provided insight into some aspects of the Russia organised, multinational program conducted in the Ellsworth Land, South Geographic Pole (SGP) region of Antarctica last December and January (ANAN-14/02, 2 February 2000).

U.S. based coordinator for the expedition, Bob Christ, has pubished a number of photographs with long captions on his web site. These cover pre-Antarctic activities in Chile, the base camp in the Patriot Hills and the eventful first landing of the Iluyshin-76 aircraft there, the 'snow bug' traverse to the SGP, and ballooning activities at various locations. A range of photographs of ballooning at the SGP are available on Steven McLachlan's New Zealand based Antarctic philately web site and the Flying Circus ballooning web site in Spain.

Balloonist Ivan Trifonov from Austria has provided his perspective on the expedition in a long story also published last week on McLachlan's site. Trifonov's article, which is written in an informal style, states that the 'Millennium' expedition achieved many firsts, including: the first hot air balloon flight over the SGP, first skydive from a balloon over the Antarctic (near the Theil Mountains), the most number of balloon flights in Antarctica by a single expedition ("3 big , 27 small" are claimed), quickest land travel from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole (5 days using 'snow bugs'), largest mass skydive jump over the Antarctic, highest balloon flight in the Antarctic (close to 5,000 m above sea level), and the first woman to fly in a balloon over the Antarctic (Ye Kuyung Kim a South Korean TV reporter).

In addition to the claimed achievements however, Trifonov's article also records his views of what he indicates were the sometimes severe personal and practical difficulties faced by expedition members while in Antarctica. Although it contains some inaccuracies about the wider Antarctic scene, many of the comments made can be correlated with information available from other sources as reported on previously by this newsletter since August last year (ANAN-4/01, 15 September 1999).

For members of the world's ballooning community main interest however now centres on the claim by Trifonov that he was the leader of the first flight made at the SGP by a hot air balloon. Three persons were on that flight, Trifonov, and Spainards Anulfo Gonzalez and Faustino Mortera. The balloon, which was the only one to make it to the SGP due to the need for the 'snow bug' traverse group to leave people and equipment at the Theil Mountains (ANAN-14/02, 2 February 2000), was actually owned by the Spainards. Gonzalez has reported on his leadership of the first flight in an article written for 'Aerostat' magazine, and has angrily dismissed Trifonov's claims. No resolution of this controversy appears in sight at this time however.

The 'Aerostat' article concludes by speculating on the possibilities for a future trans-Antarctic balloon flight in Antarctica. Given the general atmospheric circulation around Antarctica however, such a proposal is considered by meteorologists to be far more difficult than it may appear. This is especially so for balloons that can only operate in the lower reaches of the atmosphere without pressurisation.

Trifonov's article is available at: http://www.newzeal.com/theme/antarctic/Trifonov.htm. A range of photographs of Millennium activities are available at Bob Christ's web site http://www.chesco.com/~forum/SouthPole/Posttrip.html and http://www.chesco.com/~forum/SouthPole/Antarc/jc17.jpg. Steven McLachlan's site is at http://www.newzeal.com/theme/antarctic/mill2000pics.htm, and at the Flying Circus ballooning site http://www.flyingcircus.es/sp/SPgaleria.htm. Images with an emphasis on amateur radio are available at http://rrc.sc.ru/eng/eng.htm.

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Tourist voyages conducted by two large vessels chartered by the World Cruise Company (WCC) to the South Shetland Islands in December and January undertook a range of operations, including 'Zodiac' cruising, shore landings, and a passenger transfer operation at Deception Island with smaller vessels operated by Marine Expeditions (MEI), a WCC sister company (ANAN-11/03, 22 December 1999).

The number of passengers involved in the operations conducted by 'Ocean Explorer I' and 'Aegean I' was less than anticipated prior to their season in Antarctica commencing. Around 2200 passengers were expected by the WCC to take part in the four voyages conducted by the two ships, however the actual number appears to have been closer to 1700. All up both vessels spent a total of six days in the South Shetlands region over the two week period from 24 December, and during this time three landings involving a total of around 1300 people were made directly from the vessels at two separate locations.

On its first voyage 'Ocean Explorer I' conducted a single landing at Poland's Henryk Arctowski station on King George Island. The visit, which occured on 25 December, took eight hours to complete and involved landing a total of 480 passengers. The following day passengers each spent an hour 'Zodiac' cruising offshore of Baily Head, Deception Island, eight Zodiacs being used for the operation over a six hour period.

One of the most interesting aspects of the two WCC voyages was however the rendezvous which took place between 'Ocean Explorer I' and MEI's three smaller expedition-type vessels in the sheltered waters inside Deception Island on 31 December and 1 January. Two national program vessels were also reported to have been at anchor at the island during this time.

'Ocean Explorer I' arrived at Deception Island with passengers direct from Ushuaia on the 31st and was joined by MEI's 'Akademic Ioffe' , 'Lyubov Orlova' and 'Akademic Shulyekin' later in the day. These three ships, which between them can carry over 300 passengers, had left Ushuaia on either 22 and 23 December and had conducted standard tour operations in the north-western Antarctic Peninsula in the week leading up to the New Year.

On arrival at Deception the four vessels were anchored close together for joint New Year celebrations. On the afternoon of 1 January some of the passengers who had arrived from Ushuaia on the 'Ocean Explorer I' were transferred to the smaller vessels and those who had just finished their week in the Peninusla area went across to the 'Ocean Explorer' for return to Ushuaia. At the completion of the transfer 'Ioffe', 'Orlova' and 'Shulyekin' then left with their new set of passengers to conduct a second week of visits along the Peninsula, all three returning to Ushuaia on 8 January. 'Ocean Explorer I' returned directly to Ushuaia from Deception with passengers from the three smaller expedition vessels, arriving in the Argentinian port on 3 January.

'Aegean I' conducted two voyages from Ushuaia to the South Shetlands and return. On each voyage a single landing was made from the ship, Half Moon Island between Greenwich and Livingston Islands being the location for both visits. The first landing took place on 1 January when 440 people went ashore during a nine hour period, and the next five days later on the vessel's second voyage when 380 were landed over six hours. Reports indicate that no more than 100 persons were ashore at any one time during either the 'Aegean I' or 'Ocean Explorer I' landing operations (ANAN-11/04, 22 December 1999).

The planning and coordination of what was in effect ten voyages involving five vessels and several thousand passengers over a two week period, together with associated air and passenger transfer connections, would have presented WCC/MEI operations staff with a complex set of challenges. Included in arrangements was the charter of a Aerolinas Argentinas Boeing 747 to transport passengers from New York to Ushuaia via Buenos Aires on 27 December. Prior to the opening just over two years ago of the new airport at Ushuaia such a flight would not have been possible. While not the first time an Antarctic tour company has arranged the use of such a large aircraft, the ability to transfer such numbers in a single flight to what is the prime gateway for Antarctic tourism (ANAN-5/02, 29 September 1999), is considered by many in the industry as being particularly important for large vessel operations in the Peninsula region.

'Ocean Explorer I', is currently scheduled to make a single voyage to the South Shetland Islands during the 2000-01 season, although dates have not yet been finalised. The company currently anticipates that around 400 passengers will be on board for what is again planned as two day visit to the area. As was the case this season, the visit of 'Ocean Explorer I' to Antarctic waters will be part of a four month-long round the world voyage by the vessel.

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The 'Iridium' satellite-based telephone system which has been used by many non-government expedition programs in recent years as a highly portable, relatively cheap, efficient, communications medium for remote areas, is in danger of being closed down as early as 17 March. While it has proved effective in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean regions, investment in the Iridium system, which consists of close to seventy satellites in low earth orbit and associated ground stations, has fallen well below expectations. Last August the company filed for court-assisted voluntary reorganization under U.S. bankruptcy law, and has been struggling to stay afloat. If a qualified buyer for Iridium cannot be found in the next few days, media reports indicate that the entire system could be shut down as of 1700 UTC on Friday, 17 March.

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A report in the Australian press early last week indicates that the Southern Australian Shipping Company (SASCO) still intends to persue purchase the Russian Far East Shipping Company's vessel 'Olga Sadovskaya' for tourist voyages to the Ross Sea area from Hobart, Australia, next season. SASCO was involved in a long, drawn out, attempt to acquire the vessel last year, with numerous dates for departure of the vessel from Russia being missed, usually due to what the company indicated were problems with financing (ANAN-10/03, 8 December 1999).

'Sadovskaya', which is currently believed to be still located in Vladivostok in Russia's far east, would be ferried to Hobart after purchase where an internal refit and general preparations for the 2000-01 Antarctic season would occur. SASCO's plans announced last year involved undertaking up to three voyages to the Ross Sea, visiting New Zealand and an Australian sub-Antarctic island en route (ANAN-5/01, 29 September 1999).

Other than the newspaper report no firm details about SASCO's status are available at this time. SASCO, like all other Australian entities is required under Federal legislation to undertake an environmental impact assessment of its planned operation well prior to the season commencing. The Australian Antarctic Division, which is responsible for assessing such documents, is closely watching developments.

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17-19 April 2000 (London, U.K.)
Antarctic Treaty Meeting of Experts - Guidelines for Antarctic shipping and related activities.

4 May 2000 (Hobart, Australia)
The 1999-2000 mountaineering expedition to Heard Island (presentation).
Contact: tourism@aad.gov.au

25-28 June 2000 (Hobart, Australia)
IAATO year 2000 annual meeting.
Contact: iaato@iaato.org

9-15 July 2000 (Tokyo, Japan)
COMNAP (including the sub-committee on Tourism and Non-Government Operations).
Contact: jsayers@comnap.aq

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