ABSTRACT
For poets, painters and explorers alike, the Southern Ocean constitutes the stuff of legend. Characterized by the presence of sea ice and ‘lumbering lubbard loitering slow’2 moving icebergs, as well as freezing water and air temperatures, tempestuous seas and its very isolation from civilization (and rescue), the Southern Ocean constitutes arguably the riskiest and most dangerous of maritime environments. Nevertheless, the number of fishing, support, research and, in particular, tourist vessels operating within the region has increased significantly over the last decade. In the 1980s fewer than 1,000 tourists visited Antarctica; by contrast, 49,000 ship-based passengers were anticipated for the 2008/09 season.3 Moreover, ever larger vessels are operating within the region; the Golden Princess made international headlines as the largest tourist vessel to visit the region, carrying 3,820 passengers and crew on a single voyage to the Antarctic peninsula during the 2006/07 season.4 This trend is likely to continue.5 Furthermore, the operational season within the Antarctic has been extended from three to almost six months for many vessels, and consequently a much larger number of vessels are forced to operate in icy waters at both ends of the season. Adding to the natural hazards
1 S.T. Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, 1797-98. 2 H. Melville, ‘The Berg (A Dream)’ in John Marr and other Sailors, New York: De Vinne Press, 1888. 3 ‘Chairman’s Report from the Miami Meeting (17-19 March 2008) on Antarctic Tourism’, sub-
mitted by International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) to the XXXI Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), Kiev, 2-13 June 2008, Doc. XXXI ATCM/IP19, p. 7
4 Princess Cruises, EIA Princess Cruises MV Golden Princess 2006/7 Antarctic Cruise Expedition Initial Environmental Evaluation, 2006, p. 9 (on file with author).
