Norwegians may reach ship on time

Press, 21 February 1987, Page 8

Norwegians may reach ship on time

By

DAVID CLARKSON

Hopes that the Norwegian H Degrees South expedition will reach its support ship on time have been buoyed by a report that the Bay of Whales is still clear of ice.

A representative of the United States National Science - Foundation, Mr Guy Guthridge, said in Christchurch yesterday that the report had come from the United States icebraker Polar Sea.

Mr Guthridge described his attitude as “guardedly optimistic” that the Norwegian expedition would make a successful rendezvous with the Aurora.

The ship is heading into the Bay of Whales knowing that the overland party is not ex-

pected until February 28.

The Aurora is due to reach the bay on February 25, and according to Mr Suthridge she is believed to be on schedule.

Early in the season, the master was planning to be clear of the ice by February 29, but that deadline can be changed if the ice conditions allow.

No-one is based at the Bay of Whales, but the icebreaker Polar Sea was in the area only a few days ago.

the latest information from the Aurora is that the- four-member party led by Dr Monica Kristensen is making “satisfactory progress” across the Ross Ice Shelf. The party abandoned hopes of reaching the South Pole late last month.