Sunken Ship Causes Oil Spill In Antarctic Waters

Like a monument to the end of Antarctica's age of innocence, the cruise ship's badly gashed orange hull rises out of ice blue waters. Unaware to the peril that lurks around through the oil in water, penguins play on top of the overturned ship ruins. Much of the diesel fuel, in tens of thousands of gallons are spilling out more than ever even as some of it evaporated already.

Time quickly evolves down at Earth's final frontier. Nations that envision owning a slice of the Frozen Continent send in aircraft and sea vessels, amphibious trucks and bulldozers consistently. Research efforts are undertaken with nationalistic fanfare along with new bases being established. Austral summer time's weeks are laden with well heeled tourists coming in by the hundreds after being carried in vehicles arranged by specialized travel agencies ranging from military transport planes, supply vessels or cruise ships.

The Earth's final frontier requires no passport so private yachts and polar skiing expeditions are able to bring people into this place with much ease. Much like the perilous icebergs around Antarctica's uncharted seas are the many legal, political and environmental questions that keep hounding the final frontier of the earth thanks to damaging instances like the oil spill caused by the sunken cruise liner, posing a huge threat to Antarctica's wildlife. As no one owns Antarctica, no laws apply to it as stated in the Antarctic Treaty's terms.

In 1961, the pact was signed by exactly a dozen nations who consented to shedding their territorial claims temporarily for at least 30 years and dedicate Antarctica to peaceful research study efforts. Eight other nations since have joined the treaty with full voting powers, while an additional 18 have agreed to abide by its provisions and hold observer status. Among the treaty nations, there are meetings held every two years. Exploration and exploitation of Antarctica?s mineral reserves has been drafted by the organization, but on a strictly regulated manner. But now, they are coming to terms with proliferation of stations, marine and air security, medical and rescue areas, indemnification and similar issues.

On average, a hundred tourists goes comes in aboard ships, around 30 of them scheduled to call on Palmer and all these happens during the austral summer. Tourism is uncontrolled and, to some, out of control. Last year, the Science Foundation attempted to keep tourists from visiting, stating that it disturbs the research efforts. But the ban was lifted when influential Americans complained, claiming a right to see how their tax dollars are being spent.

A medical corpsman, part of the station?s staff, mans small room which can accommodate around four dozen people whenever they need treatment. Its strength is not in handling maritime tragedies. Station men know that fair weather alone can prevent any catastrophes from taking place. There were no longer any oars or motors on the open, inflatable rafts found in the sunken sea vessel, shared the workers. It was a calm day and they could easily be pulled back to shore using small work boats. Workers share that this could have been blown out to sea with the raging Antarctic weather or have overturned, making things worse.

In response to the diesel spill, the National Science Foundation dispatched navy and civilian pollution control experts with 52 tons of specialized equipment. The mission went beyond 2 million dollars. Clean up work that cost so much are done by the Chilean and Argentinian navy men sent there. The middle of March saw the conclusion of the clean up drive but the ship is impossible to be reached and pumped out safely and it will keep pumping out poison as it contains over 63,000 gallons more and the worst case if a winter storm comes and tears the wreckage apart, which means more spills to come. Experts say it would be too costly to haul the wreck away.

The oil spill is disastrous for the area abounds with different animals from penguins, cormorants, Arctic terns, skuas and other types of birds. Seals and whales frequently pass through the bay. Science experts have revealed the indirect evidence on penguin and bird deaths due to the poisonous leak, but in terms of the extent of the damage, they have yet to establish that. A special team of 15 researchers from the United States, Argentina and Chile has arrived to begin a comprehensive study on the spill's environmental impact. It will face many long years before completion while they are left in the dark when it comes to claiming of damages.

No property rights on the area or around Palmer Station are held by America and so they do not have legal grounds to fight for any form of compensation on the accident?s venue and it is only Chile, Argentina and Great Britain that can claim something as they have rights to the Antarctic Peninsula. Recently, plans were announced by Chile that they will propose that each country will be financially responsible for environmental damages among others, and this will be done at the next Antarctic Treaty. The Science Foundation presently is doing everything to organize a coordinating office for emergencies on an international level while trying to achieve an agreement among groups when it comes to costs of cleaning up spills and other unwanted occurrences.

Article Source: TravelFreeGuides.com

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Expert resources on Antarctic Cruising Tours are located on that site. If you are looking for more information on antarctica vacations make sure to visit their website.

by: Jacob Mitchell

Total views: 2 Word Count: 892 Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2010 Time: 6:58 AM - 0 comments

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