ANTARCTIC OPERATIONS

Heli Charters Australia has spent the last two summers down in Antarctica working in conjunction with an Australian adventure company Aurora Expeditions. We have been utilizing our Squirrel and Jetranger to provide general charter services and scenic flights to passengers aboard the vessel Marina Svetaeva.

Aurora Expeditions specialises in small group expedition-style travel to Polar Regions and other wild and remote places. Helicharters Australia a leader in helicopter services combined with a leader in polar cruising offers travelers the chance to have an intimate experience in these regions.

The vessel Marina Svetaeva is Ice Strengthened passenger vessel which provides comfortable accommodation for up to 100 passengers and 41 crew. It is robust yet small enough to explore places beyond the reach of the bigger ships. Heli Charters two helicopters complete a fleet of zodiacs for accessing the vast continent of Antarctica. The helicopters are used to explore and unlock the secrets of the more inaccessible remote areas which passengers would not usually have the chance to explore.

Highlights from 2009 expedition saw Helicharters Australia be part of a rare discovery. Whilst exploring Madagin Nanatuk (‘nanatuk’ is the Antarctic term for a rocky peak surrounded by ice), a rare food cache which belonged to Mawsons AAE party (Australian Antarctic Expedition) was found 70kms East South East of Cape Denison. It was likely that this was the first time that this food cache had been seen since 1912. Inside it contained three bags possibly flour and pemmican a food favored by the sledging parties of the AAE. The find is significant because it extends the archaeological boundary of the site associated with the AAE of 1911-1914.

Flexibility is the key to any successful adventure. This is one aspect both Helicharters and Aurora Expeditions are proud of. Helicharters Australia looks forward to the next expeditions in the summer of 2009-2010!