Antarctica's Most Wanted: BOATS

Breaking ice, breaking laws...these boats have been spotted in McMurdo Sound wreaking havoc on innocent seals trying to sunbath on icebergs with gangs of whales following close behind to cash in on the damage.  If you see any of these boats please write your local congressman immediately.

ICEBREAKER: Breaking ice with hulls of steel, this icebreaker vessel paved the way for his band of cronies to follow close behind.  He may look like a little tug boat but his hulls quickly worked apart the cracks in the sea ice (the same ice that we landed our planes on at the beginning of the season) and sent it out to sea.  Within hours of heavy winds, the entire sea was clear of ice and in came the Minke Whales, the titans of destruction.  Only ice still standing was a 2 mile wide iceberg threatening to block the access to McMurdo.

2 mile wide iceberg

NATHANIAL B. PALMER RESEARCH VESSEL: This undercover ship claims to be here on behalf of science.  Good science or the sort run by the likes of Dr. Evil?  Suspicions were confirmed after this ship was forced to return, after leaving, to drop off one victim claiming "medical evacuation for the good of the person was mandatory".

FUEL TANKER: Pumping liquid gold into the tanks of McMurdo seems like a good cause but this crew has a rough past.  While sailing through the Indian Ocean, they repeatedly met pirates since their load rode so low.  When pirates approached, the crew had a special synchronized gun dance where they flashed their weapons and the pirates quickly left.  (Actual true story). The pirates quickly tucked tail and ran, but how many were taken captive for hidden treasures?  You'll have to ask Captain Black Gold to find out...

CRUISE SHIP: The high times of the rich and famous rolled into the McMurdo Sound.  People actually PAYING (minimum of $25,000) to see McMurdo played paparazzi to the likes of locals.   People departing this boat were seen wearing heavy parkas and claiming it was cold.  Bunch of new jacks.

Some of the high paying customers from the cruises.  Tourists or victims?

Don't let your wheels freeze, old head.

The second cruise ship to show up.  I'm guessing this "economy version" didn't serve pate.

THE VESSEL OF DOOM: Judgement day arrived at McMurdo, the busiest week of the season.  You live by vessel and you die... maybe not die...they just close all the bars for the week.  Upon arrival, the Giant of the Sea crashed into our delicate ice pier shifting it 10 feet causing divers to have to check out the damage at the crash site. The contents of this behemoth were emptied supplying the community with years worth of food, supplies, etc in exchange for all our waste.  A true trash to treasure love story.