In January of 2006 we took part in the ultimate voyage to the ultimate destination. We embarked on a diving experience of a life time. A one month sailing and diving trip to the water’s of Antarctica. 24 days of adrenalin diving and sailing. An unforgettable voyage that not only fulfilled the initial adventure objectives, but also paved the way for an un-likely project. During the many explorative and adventure dives undertaken during this trip, the ‘Dive Antarctica’ team found an abundance of discarded underwater rubbish affecting the pristine waters. We decided that it would be highly beneficial to return to Antarctica in order to clean up the discovered rubbish. On returning to Australia we decided it was necessary to propose this clean up operation for 2008. With the assistance of Dr Mikhail Chesalin it is anticipated that the team will shortly return to the waters we love and begin the clean up operation. If the proposal is successful, the ‘Dive Antarctica’ team hopes to utilize our dive skills and training to clean up the below mentioned underwater sites, thereby helping to preserve one of the most fragile and beautiful environments in the world.

The following information details the initial dives in which rubbish was discovered, and the possible impact this find could have on the environment. Also covered are the important reasons our team found it necessary to undertake the proposed clean up operation and our personal objectives.

After the 3 day crossing of the Drake Passage the team arrived at the South Shetland Islands (King George Island) to begin 18 days of sailing and diving in the waters of Antarctica. We sailed from Jubany, Argentina, stopping at Deception and Enterprise Islands. We visited numerous research bases on our way down the Gerlache Strait, passing through Paradise Harbour. At Enterprise Island, while moored to an old whaling ship named the Governor, we discovered the careless disposal of rubbish, which included clothing, beer cans, food cans, rags and other packaging items. After locating further sites littered with rubbish, we decided to survey each area, taking into account all visible rubbish. We prepared a brief summary of our discovery, which was later used to prepare a comprehensive report outlining the necessity for a clean up operation to be carried out at a later date. Due to inherent restrictions, a clean up of the area could not be carried out at the time. These restrictions included a lack of equipment preparation and limited space aboard the small vessel. We were able to, however, asses the sites to the best of our capabilities and as such were able to collect and remove some of the smaller rubbish items. 

Further discussions regarding the rubbish and pollution found at these sites was raised again after meeting Dr Mikhail Chesalin from the Ukrainian Antarctic base “Akademik Vernadsky”. Several dives were initiated with Dr Chesalin, the senior researcher from the Institute of the Southern Seas Ichthyology during which, our team assisted him with the collection of marine samples for his ongoing research. During these research dives two other heavily polluted sites were located. The first site, located at a maximum depth of twenty metres, off the Akademik Vernadsky station near Marina Point (Galindez Island) was littered with junk including, wire, cables, glass bottles, broken crockery and a plethora of other non-significant discarded items. The second site, located at a maximum depth of  fifteen metres off ‘Wordie House,’ originally used by early explorers, the most famous being from the Graham Land expedition, which was led by Australian explorer John Raymill, was littered with batteries, pipes and metal sheets. Also discovered during explorative dives, which were undertaken to confirm the presence of any historically significant items, were old English plates, knives, forks, boots, lamps and bon fire pots.

After evaluating the dive sites and concluding that a clean up operation was necessary to ensure the preservation of one of the world’s most unique and important ecological environments. We decided to commission the help of Dr Mikhail Chesalin in order to organize the diving clean up operation for 2008. The ‘Dive Antarctica’ team will again make our way to Antarctica to begin work on the removal of the underwater rubbish. In coordination with researchers from the Ukrainian Antarctic base, we will assist with research objectives while coordinating and undertaking all the necessary diving requirements of such a detailed project.

Currently several proposals have been submitted from both the Ukrainian and Australian teams regarding the specifications of the project objectives. We are awaiting confirmation regarding the exact start date of this important project and will endeavor to update the web site as details progress.