After heavy snow buried some buildings, Royal Navy sailors rushed to the rescue of four women who had taken jobs at a remote science base in Antarctica. The sailors and royal mariners spent two days excavating the Port Lockroy site, the BBC reported.
Clare Ballantyne, Mairi Hilton, Natalie Corbett and Lucy Bruzzone were chosen from a record pool of applicants to manage historic Port Lockroy on Goudier Island, home to the world’s most remote post office. They had entered service in October of this year.
According to the outlet, they were preparing for the Australian summer, which lasts from November to February in the southern hemisphere, with the help of three other staff who were due to leave shortly, when heavy snowfall of two to four meters (6-12 ft) fell. ) fell.
“The team from HMS Protector, based in Plymouth in the UK, moved several tons of snow and carried out temporary repairs,” the report said.
Engineers say they used traditional naval ship damage control methods to stabilize the structure, such as wooden piles and blocks. The ice patrol vessel makes regular visits to international bases on the frozen continent, such as Port Lockroy, delivering supplies and supporting the UK’s and other countries’ scientific research.
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The BBC said Adjutant First Class Lee “Rattler” Morgan, a member of the rescue squad, was “stunned” by “the sheer amount of snow”, adding that the buildings were “all but gone”.
Employees can now return to Port Lockroy, a former whaling station that has become a tourist attraction during the summer season, visited by about 20,000 people. The outlet went on to say that the four have given up running water, a flush toilet, Wi-Fi and can talk to their loved ones for just 10 minutes a week during their stint.
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