QUESTION:
How much  money does it cost to send a ship all the way 
to Antarctica from South America?

        Kate C.
        Mrs. Garvin's Class
        Mauldin Elementary
        Mauldin, SC



ANSWER from Janet Barnes, Aboard the RV Polar Duke 
            Sat, 5 Apr 1997 17:30:34 +0000 (GMT)

Dear Kate, 

Sending research vessels to the Antarctic is VERY expensive.  The basic
cost to rent the Polar Duke is $13,000 a day.  This does not include the
costs to the scientists who must get funding to do their research.  It
takes the Duke 3 to 4 days to reach Palmer Station, on Anvers Island in
the Antarctic from Punta Arenas, Chile.  If we conduct research along the
way, the passage takes even longer! 

Thanks for your question!
Janet Barnes