QUESTION:
Since Zodiacs are so small, and the water is cold and deep, do you ever
have second thoughts about riding them?

        Jerod K., 15
        Lewiston Alternative Middle School
        Lewiston Idaho


ANSWER from John Booth, ASA Science Tech
            Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Wed, 5 Mar 1997 04:34:40 -0500

Dear Jerod,

I don't worry about riding in the Zodiacs, and I doubt that many
others here do, either.  We have very strict safety rules in place
that probably make riding in a Zodiac safer than riding in a car in
the US.  Each passenger in a Zodiac must be wearing a float-coat,
which increases in-the-water survival time significantly.  Each
passenger must also pass a course in Zodiac safety before being
allowed to ride in the boats.  All Zodiacs are equipped with an
extra motor, extra fuel, paddles (last resort), flares, food and
water, etc. Most of the local islands have emergency caches that
include even more food, tents, and sleeping bags.  Zodiac travel
is restricted to a radius of two miles from station, and is only
allowed when the wind is less than 20 knots.  Zodiacs are inflatable,
and the air is held in several separate compartments, so they're
almost impossible to sink.  Finally, there is an Ocean Search and
Rescue team available at all times to answer distress calls.

Thanks for your question! Hope you enjoy learning about
Antarctica.

John B.