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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Arrival into Deception Island, Antarctica

By Jonny Blair


Deception Island is a totally magnificent place and this was another amazing journey on planet earth, almost James Bond style as we waited on deck. What lay ahead was the boat having to squeeze its way through a narrow passage called Neptune's Bellows so that we could get inside Deception Island. There was a sense of wonder all around.

It was cold and chilly on deck and a wee bit windy. A brave crowd had gathered on deck to view our narrow entrance through the slim channel into Deception Island.

To the right of our ship as the captain sailed her gallantly through the tight gap. Why a tight gap? you may ask and why make a big deal of it? The reason is Deception Island, by its very shape is like a small "c" letter from a bird's eye view.

Indeed the arrival through Neptune's Bellows into Deception Island is marvellous as well as being tight and it feels like the ship is going in slow motion most of the time, which is true! You had to be out on the main deck to witness it - an amazing voyage was getting even better now!

While on board you don't always get the chance to visit the bridge of the vessel so this was a great chance to see the captain at work, doing an excellent job getting the boat through the narrow passage!

There is a photo I took of the captain just as we were entering Neptune's Bellows to head into Deception Island which prtrays the magnitude of it.

The location of Neptune's Bellows is near Port Foster at the entrance point to Deception Island in Antarctica. Deception Island itself is part of the South Shetland Islands. The geographic location is 63o 0 s, 60o 34 w and the bellows are named after Neptune, a Roman God of nature.

Not long in coming and the captain had done his job - we were inside Deception Island in Antarctica having successfully steered through the narrow Neptune's Bellows! Amazing journey in Antarctica!




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