Palmer Station SitRep for Period Ending 17 Jan 79

1. Fuel Consumption: 1257/Tank one 93,508/Tank two 120,931/Total DFM on hand (less day tanks) 214,439/Day tanks 6,000.
2. Station population 31/Hero 16/at faraday BAS 4 (S-252/S-260)
3. Power Readings: High 103.8 KVA/Low 57.6 KVA/ Avg 74.8 KVA.
4. Weather: High temp 6C(15)/Low temp 0C(12)/Avg temp 3C/High pressure .1002 MB (11) / Low pressure 980.0 MB (13) / Avg pressure 990 MB/peak wind 13 m/s at 270 deg (14)/ Avg wind 2 m/s prevailing wind dir 50 deg/avg cld cvr 9/10 nmbr of clear days 0/ nmbr prtly cldy days 2/ nmber cldy days 5 / nmbr days visibility less then 400 mtrs 0.
5. Activities this week at Palmer centered around the arrival of R/V Hero on a beautiful Monday night, January 15.
   Preparation for the support needs of the eleven incoming passengers occupied the early part of the week. Pat Moriarty readied the Palmer Zodiac fleet for a twofold increase in boating activities. Tow S-028 (Baust) personnel were marooned on Hermit island by drifting brash ice on Saturday. They found the survival cache in good order and were able to return to the station in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
   Tables and equipment were moved into the new lab spaces. Science gear and a large walk-in bird cage for Dr. Murrish (S-011) were moved out of storage.
   The M.S. World Discoverer visited Palmer on Saturday, 13 Jan, and 140 passengers received tours of the station.
   A Saturday night science lecture series was inaugurated by Charlene Denys (S-008), who discussed her work on the life history of Krill. Throughout the week preparation of science and support retrograde cargo for Polar Star continued. John Heg Directed the palletization of empty gas bottles. Scuba equipment and irreparable scientific gear was boxed and documented for shipment.
   Word was received that the Belgian sloop Williwaw had aborted its attempt to sail to Palmer and returned to Ushuaia.
   The Welcome sight of R/V Hero rounding Bonaparte Ponte Monday evening marked the end of here month-long absence from Palmer. Eight scientists, the NSF Rep Antarctic Peninsula, H and N Hero/Palmer operation manager, and the Caterpillar diesel rep disembarked at the station. Also aboard were mail, freshies, krill and Caterpillar parts. On Tuesday a meeting was held by Mr. Betzel with principal science and support personnel to determine a research and redeployment schedule which maximized usage of R/V Hero in light of probable Polar Star delays. A field camp on Cormorant Island was prepared for the S-012 (Parmelee) Ornithology group.
   Hero sailed to Faraday Station on Wednesday with three S-008 people, the Palmer Facilities Engineer, and four S-250/S-260 (Warburton/Smiley) scientists aboard. Dr. Warburton’s group debarked at faraday to install a snowflake and ice crystal replicator.
   Bill Tilley and Duane Ness wasted no time starting the major overhaul of the Nr. One D-342 engine/generator. By Wednesday night the engine was completely disassembled and critical parts micrometered.
   Mr. Betzel and Mr. Pavlak installed 2/3 of a new concrete Zodiac ramp.
   The 33 foot French sloop "Isatis" arrived at Palmer several hours before Hero on 15 Jan. Capt. Jean Lascue and his two crewmembers had left Lyttleton, NZ on 3 Dec. They expressed their thanks to Mr. Walter Seeling and Dr. Edward Todd of NSF for the hospitality and assistance extended to them while in New Zealand. Operations continue smoothly.
   Regards, Konecki