U.S. work on Ice hit by fuel price
Recent increases in fuel prices will have a big effect on the United States Antarctic programme this summer, according to the new United States Naval Support Force commander, Captain J. M. Pearigen.
Captain Pearigen was scheduled to fly from Christchurch to the American base at McMurdo Sound early this morning, to prepare for the summer season, which will begin in October. Between 800 and 1100 personnel will man United States bases at the Antarctic this summer.
“There is no question that the increases in fuel costs will affect the budget of the National Science Foundation for research programmes on the Ice this summer,” Captain Pearigen said last evening.
The number of flights between Christchurch and the Antarctic would probably be reduced, and some internal flights between Antarctic
stations might also be cut.
“We will have to make the best use of available flights by ensuring full loads,” Captain Pearigen. said. “Everything we do down there depends on fuel, and the high prices will have an effect on programmes and special projects such as base construction.”
This summer will be Captain Pearigen’s first full season at the Antarctic since he flew helicopters for the United States Navy’s VXE6 squadron based at McMurdo Station from 1967 to 1970.
During the last 10 years he has held several posts in the Navy, including, commanding officer of two helicopter squadrons, aircraft accident investigator, and executive
officer of an amphibious assault carrier. Captain Pearigen will return to Christchurch later this week, and then travel to Washington to attend a preseason orientation conference. He will return to take up his command at McMurdo Station in October. Two flights from Christchurch to McMurdo Station were set for this morning, and four more are scheduled before the end of the week. The weather had been good at McMurdo Sound for the last few days, and Captain Pearigen hoped that it would remain so for the rest of the week. Previous winter attempts to fly there had been delayed by the weather.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19800825.2.27
Bibliographic details
Press, 25 August 1980, Page 4
Word Count
341U.S. work on Ice hit by fuel price Press, 25 August 1980, Page 4
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.
Log in