The Antarctic Chef's Blog: HMS Protector

It has been so busy since Gould night and so much going on that i don't know my head from my heels, or where to start?

The first event was burns night, where Mike our Station leader who being Scottish, addressed the Haggis, which was a comical rendition and very well received. As we did not have anywhere enough Haggis to give everybody a portion, I made it into a stuffing and filled chicken fillets with it. This was presented with 'Tatties and Neeps' and served with a whiskey and peppercorn sauce, which seemed to go down well making the evening a very enjoyable night.

Next, HMS Protector came to town which kept everyone on their toes, as this vessel is the Royal Navy's Ice Patrol Ship and provides a UK sovereign presence in the British Antarctic Territory. Protector is a survey ship with modern sonar equipment enabling them to survey the seas around Antarctica ensuring the safe operation of large commercial vessels, also exercising rights under the Antarctic Treaty through inspections, hydrographic charting and support to scientific research.

HMS Protector has an important role in providing support to the British Antarctic Survey. She regularly comes to Rothera where she plays host to our team of scientists who make use of the ship's facilities to conduct their work around the Antarctic Peninsula. This time was no exception and we swapped 7 of our scientists for 4 of their ships company who stayed with us for a couple of days collecting data, while the ship was out with our guys doing science.

As with most ships that come regularly to Rothera there is a tradition, with the Protector it is more or less the same as the Gould with an annual football match, a tour of our facilities and a BBQ where the chefs work together to feed the base and the ships company. This year once i had spoken with their catering officer and the chef, it was decided that the BBQ would take place on the deck of the ship where we would produce enough food for Rothera (100) and they would produce enough food for their ships company (80), we would cook together mixing and matching on the night.

HMS Protector alongside the wharf

Our Information screen in the dining room shows

who will be going and times for boarding

Rob busy preparing Butternut Squash, ready to bbq

for the Vegetarians. Everything was prepped in our

kitchen and had to be shipside for 17:30 hrs

While the football match was underway I managed

get on board to see the chef, and came away with

another box of nice ingredients for my winter

The ships company which consisted of Royal Navy

and Marines, came prepared and ready for battle

wearing a full matching strip. They beat us 2 - 1

An Elephant seal lies undisturbed blocking the bridge

while the match is played.

HMS Protector looks very similar tied against the wharf

to her sister ship the Ernest Shackleton

It was a good day for a BBQ this year, with the last

two seasons being very cold and windy

The base was quiet tonight, with everyone now on

board enjoying their dinner

Time for me to board

The cooking has started and everyone enjoying

somewhere different to eat

Our barbie was set up next to theirs and the cooking

continued

Rob and Dave, doing a great job.

Our Science and Marine team enjoying the

Atmosphere

Everyone mingling nicely

A wave from Alex

All our guys next to the beer!

Chef Lewis with our Pilots

Rob and Dave 'Smokin'

Lewis watches Rob

Dave at the helm!

Them and us!

Maria and Paula seem to be enjoying it

Looking up at the bridge

Rob and their chef enjoying a break

The Barbie kings

Pete out of the tower and enjoying the steak.

BBQ over time to go, everyone leaves and wanders back, some to the bar, some for a cup of tea and some to bed. The ship will leave in the morning to conduct science around the peninsula with our guys on board. They will be gone for 2 to 3 days.