Scotland and the Antarctic

Section 7: The legacy of Bruce ... British Antarctic Survey

Transport

The British bases are supplied by two supply ships - Ernest Shackleton and James Clark Ross. These must carry south all the supplies required for one year for over 400 people - food, drink, clothing, fuel, medicines, equipment, toiletries, etc.

The BAS also has five aircraft - the four-engined Dash 7 which links the Falkland Islands to Rothera, and four Twin Otters used for taking scientists out into the field and linking various research sites.

How do BAS personnel get to the Antarctic?

• Some travel south on the supply ships which go south in the Antarctic summer.
• Some fly from the UK to Ascension Island to the Falkland Islands then either by Dash 7 or supply ship to Rothera.