More on the Laurence M. Gould

David Ruth on deck.
The Gould, although of a slightly ungainly shape, is clean and beautifully painted. The equipment is all is perfect running order and she is so clean you could eat off the engine room floor.

I always thought these enclosed lifeboat looked scary, but they are roomy inside with seats along the perimeter for 44 persons. They leave the heat on at all times so an escape from the ship wouldn't be too painful. One of the two boat has a radio beacon. They are self-righting, so you have to be strapped in. Supplies of food are for about three days and there is enough fuel to go about 120 miles. Not too far in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.

Navagational chart. You can see our route on the tape as we pass Deception Island.

Every day the Chileans fax a weather map.

Our first view of Antarctica was at Cape Shirreff, as we tried to land Gitta McDonald for her study of Southern elephant seals. The winds and seas were too high to let her off and she has ended up at Palmer until the Gould returns to try again.