QUESTION:   
How many people are aboard the Polar Duke? Is it a
constant number or does it depend on the research? 

                 Ben P., 3rd grader, Thomas Lewis' class
                 Charlottesville, Virginia
 
ANSWER from Al Hickey, aboard The Polar Duke, Palmer Station, 
            Antarctica; Sat, 1 Feb 1997 01:46:04 +0000 (GMT)

Dear Ben,

Presently there are 39 people aboard the Polar Duke.  This is basically a
full ship.  The crew size varies depending on the number of scientists. 
We always have twelve crew from the shipping company.  This includes 9
Norwegians and 3 Chileans.  There are also always 3 support staff from
Antarctic Support Associates, the company that manages the vessel and all
logistics on the continent.  That leaves room for 1 to 24 scientists. 
Cruises where we are fishing for special Antarctic ice fish require the
fewest scientists and this cruise at the height of the Antarctic summer
has the most. 
        
        Al Hickey