Each year, the United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust’s (UKAHT) UK team, based in Cambridge, recruits a team of four individuals to spend five months at its flagship site, Port Lockroy – a historic former science base on a tiny island on the Antarctic Peninsula.
Situated on Goudier Island, Port Lockroy has been home to explorers, whalers, scientists and sailors, all of whom have made vital contributions to Antarctic history. This sheltered island, off the coast of Wiencke Island, at the meeting point of three seaways, offers some of the most dramatic mountain and glacier scenery on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula and as such has become the most popular visitor destination in Antarctica today. First recognised as a location of historical importance following a conservation survey undertaken by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), Port Lockroy was designated Historic Site and Monument No. 61 under the Antarctic Treaty in 1995. The buildings were restored in 1996 by a team from the BAS and have since been open to visitors during the Antarctic summer. UKAHT took over the running of Port Lockroy in 2006.
Candidates from Borneo, Australia and the US, in addition to those from the UK, made up the shortlist of 12 invited to take part in this year’s two day selection programme, held at Mepal Outdoor Centre earlier this month. During the two day process candidates were subjected to a full programme of tasks and activities designed to test the attributes required to work under such extreme circumstances. These included, assessing each individual’s communication skills; how they worked as part of a team; their planning and organisational abilities, stress tolerance, work ethic, physical endurance and mental resilience. Interviews, designed to draw out candidates’ individual knowledge of Antarctica and Port Lockroy in particular and their desire to work in such a remote location were also part of the programme.
Fran Pothecary, Antarctic Operations Officer for UKAHT commented: “The selection event offers us a perfect opportunity to spend an extended amount of time with the candidates to assess what each has to offer. As the team will have to live and work together for between 4 and 5 months, it is essential that we choose people whose skills and personalities complement each other, ensuring a tightly knit team who can deliver on the work and tasks crucial to maintaining the heritage of Port Lockroy as Antarctica's number one visitor attraction"
As the most popular visitor destination in Antarctica today, Port Lockroy welcomes approximately 18,000 visitors during the summer months (November to March). Visitors arrive on board expedition vessels touring the region and an important part of the UKAHT Port Lockroy team’s role will be to welcome these visitors and give them an insight into life on a scientific base in Antarctica in the 1950s. The team will also be responsible for the care and maintenance of the museum and buildings, as well as monitoring any impact on wildlife, through surveys of the resident gentoo penguin colony and by recording the number of visitors and ships visiting the area. In accordance with the Antarctic Treaty, the UKAHT Port Lockroy team will also ensure strict guidelines on the care of the environment are adhered to. The UKAHT also run the post-office at Port Lockroy on behalf of the Government of the British Antarctic Territory, from which 70,000 cards are posted each year for delivery in over 100 countries.
Camilla Nichol, Chief Executive UKAHT said: “It takes a very particular person and skill set to thrive during a season at Port Lockroy and our selection process is a rigorous test, designed to ascertain which of the candidates have the qualities needed for life in this most remote of places. We had a particularly strong group of candidates this year, which made the decision making process extremely difficult, however I am confident that we have selected a superb team for the 2016/17 season, all of whom will work well together to deliver another successful season at Port Lockroy."
The team selection days this year resulted in three candidates being invited to take up posts as Team Members and two additional candidates being offered reserve places.
Adele Jackson completes the team of four. Adele, who spent last season in Port Lockroy will be returning as Team Leader once again for the 2016/17 season. Adele commented of the opportunity to return: “It's an absolute privilege to work at Port Lockroy, so I feel extremely fortunate to be returning again for a second season as base leader. I'm very excited about working with the skilled team that UKAHT have selected. I can't wait to get back down south to open up the museum and start welcoming visitors.”
The new team bring together skills as diverse as retail management, museum curatorship, tour guiding, nature and conservation management - and between them speak five languages - including Russian, German and French. Their experience has been gained from an equally diverse range of places including Russia, Arctic Canada and South Georgia as well as closer to home. Above all, each has an over-arching interest in Antarctica and a desire to be part of the living history of Port Lockroy.
From here the team will be trained in all aspects of work and life at Port Lockroy and will re-unite in Cambridge in September for a week long training course to equip them with the additional knowledge and skills they will need to successfully navigate their season in Antarctica.
Image: UK Antarctic Heritage Trust team selection day activities
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