Antarctic Cruise and DXpedition

Mehdi, F5PFP, organizer of an upcoming Antarctic Cruise / Expedition for about 4 weeks in 2009, has informed OPDX of the following Antarctic bases, that and the main goal of the expedition is to operate about 5 to 7 hours from each base, BUT also have a great adventure, sailing, trekking, photos, etc.

The Antarctic Cruise and Expedition will start in February, departing from Ushuaia on the 18th and returning to Ushuaia on March 17th.

Mehdi states, "Our plan is very extensive and several bases could be cancelled due to weather and sailing conditions,
but each area will be visited."

The list of areas and bases are as follows:
AN-016 - ANTARCTICA (Mainland); Videla Station (Danco coast) and Almirante Brown Station (Danco coast)

AN-012 - PALMER Archipelago; Yelcho Station (Doumer Island) and Port Lockroy (Wiencke Island)

AN-010 - SOUTH SHETLAND Archipelago; Macchu Picchu Station & Republica del Ecuador Refuge (King George Island), Gurruchaga Refuge (Nelson Island), Maldonado Station (Greenwich Island), Juan Carlos Station (Livingston Island), Station B (Deception Island) and Risopatron Station (Robert Island)

The expedition team will travel on the yacht "Le Boulard". The "Le Boulard" home page can be viewed (in French) at:
http://www.croisieres-boulard.com/index.php?
page=antarctique

The French skipper is Jean Monzo who lives in Ushuaia and speaks English/ Spanish and is probably one of the most experienced sailors of the Antarctic Penninsula sailing every summer season in that zone since 1992 with the same yacht.

The "Le Boulard" is 14 meters long with automatic pilot, phonesat, GPS and can accommodate 6 passengers + 1 or
2 crew members.

It is possible to be part of this expedition as an operator or just as a tourist. If interested in being part of this Cruise / Expedition, please contact Mehdi at: f5pfp@aliceadsl.fr

Also, for information about the expedition and amateur radio activities in the Antarctica, please visit: http://f6kdf.ath.cx/f5nod/