[ADXA] The Bouvet Island DXpedition – 3YØZ Press Release #5

[Joel Harrison]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The Bouvet Island DXpedition – 3YØZ

 Press Release #5

The Bouvet Island DXpedition team (3YØZ), is pleased to make an important
announcement about our transportation plans to Bouvet Island.

>From the beginning, we have worked with Nigel Jolly to secure safe,
reliable, and affordable transportation to Bouvet.  We both have struggled
with the costs involved in getting Nigel’s ship and a helicopter from New
Zealand to the tip of South America to begin the voyage to Bouvet. 
Together, we have been working to find alternatives while Nigel’s vessel,
the Claymore II stood ready for our use if we could not find a suitable
alternative. We are announcing today that we have found an alternate
vessel that eliminates the repositioning costs and at the same time adds
additional margins of safety for our team.

DAP, a Chilean maritime and aviation company that took some of us to Peter
I in 2006, recently acquired a vessel that is perfect for our DXpedition
to Bouvet.   This company also has a fleet of 16 helicopters. Bob, K4UEE,
and George, N4GRN, have just returned from Punta Arenas, Chile where they
inspected the vessel, the helicopters and discussed our requirements with
DAP.  Nigel Jolly supplied us with a checklist to be used while inspecting
DAP's vessel and helicopter capabilities

Based on our observations, and our discussions, and based on DAP's
reputation and our personal history with DAP; we feel we have found a
sound alternative and optimum means of transportation to Bouvet.  DAP’s
ship is somewhat larger than Nigel’s vessel, and they have offered us two
helicopters instead of only one.  They are both  medium duty, twin engine
BO-105 helicopters.  We will also have two pilots and mechanics with years
of Antarctic flying experience. The ship is being re-fitted with a hanger
to house those two helicopters during transit and poor weather
conditions..

The vessel's Captain and crew have sailed the vessel for many years and
have been retained by DAP.  Interestingly, one of the crew members that
will accompany us to Bouvet is Alejo Contreras Staeding. He is a well
known Antarctic explorer, guide, glaciologist and adventurer. We met him
in 2006 on the way to Peter I. We are extremely pleased to have him join
us.

We have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with DAP and a formal contract is
being drafted.  We will review that contract with Nigel, and expect to
sign it soon.  This is an important step, as the new vessel and the
capabilities of DAP will fully complement our team.  This is a winning
partnership that helps assure not only safety for our team, but an
excellent chance of a very successful DXpedition under the extreme
circumstances we are expecting.

Our departure will be approximately mid-January, 2018, possibly sailing to
Bouvet from King George Island.  We expect 9-11 day voyage to Bouvet. 
When the weather allows, we will land on the island by helicopter.  Our
first priority will be to inspect the terrain, select a site clear of
crevasses and establish our shelters stocked with emergency supplies. 
Once secured, we will bring the rest of our equipment ashore and commence
radio operations as soon as possible. We expect to be at Bouvet for 21
days, and allowing for weather, hope to be on the air for 14-16 days.

This is likely the most expensive DXpedition ever attempted and the
operating team has committed to fund up to 50% of the costs.  We are
hopeful the DX community will fund the remainder.  You may follow our
planning progress and see our fund-raisings results on our website
www.bouvetdx.org.

73,

Ralph-K0IR

Bob-K4UEE

Erling-LA6VM