Detailed instructions: how to get into a polar expedition to Antarctica

A simple guy from St. Petersburg woke up very early one morning and thought, "I Want to Antarctica". Later in his Twitter, he described what to do that would take a month to sail aboard a research vessel on the other pole.

(Hereinafter — the author's words)

To start, go to the Institute of the Arctic and Antarctica (metro station "Primorskaya"), to the personnel Department and ask what jobs there are. Even if there is not a narrow specialty (engineer, geologist, hydrologist, etc.) have the opportunity to go as a technician at the station. I have a friend a hippie so I went.

For employment, in addition to the standard package of documents required:

When you give a list of all this here, then I warn you once:

Below I will describe what, where and how much (spoiler: I already gave 20K).

Also, you will be given a list of locations where the physical examination and training "NBIC" (damage). It is necessary to obtain a "Certificate of identity" (used to be called "seaman's Passport"). I was in one place — "Marine technical College" on people's militia.

Denis Melnikov

The next day, rush to a medical examination, fasting, naturally. To pass all the day is best to arrive before 11:00. The examination is simple, without centrifugation, chamber and other adventures (that upset me)). With vaccinations for all given 8.5 thousand RUB.

With the physical hand in the same College go for training (the receiving docks and courses begin on Tuesdays), you pay 10 450, four days go from 10:00 to 15:00 and a week later receive certificates. I am now at this stage.

And already with certificates, medical card and a separate opinion on the suitability go again to the Institute to fill papers for the "seafarers' identity documents" and "nautical books". I'm going to do tomorrow, tomorrow and tell)

Come on. The Institute fill out the form to receive ULM, is recorded on reception at the seaport (Gapsal'skaya 10), pay 1.3 thousand RUB. If I move fast — you can catch everything in one day.

Just "going street", "the seafarers" not to. You should send the employer, according to the specialty profile. Crewing offices take 2.5 thousand rubles, the Institute takes nothing for it.

A little bit about the logistics in Antarctica. As said in the Institute either on the ship of Peter, or a plane to Cape town and there still on the ship. Basically send everyone on the ship. Below is a picture of the approximate schedule of five years ago. I hope it is not a secret, hung in Frames)this year, due to repairs of the station "Vostok" depart two of the ship: "Akademik tryoshnikov" early and "Akademik Fedorov" later. Considering the distance the ship will have to spend 5-8 weeks, given the port. Time to reread "War and Peace")

So, since I, to my great joy, she accepted, it will complement and finish this Tred. Well, you are already there then do persuade myself to go or not to go). Below is a little about the admissions process when you have all the docks on the hands and clothes which will give (me this question is very concerned).

Upon returning from sea I took the "Identity card" in the administration of the Sea port in Gapsal'skaya. Do quickly, but I was 2 months, took when he returned. Looks: a laminated card with your photo. To carry everywhere as a passport.

After collecting all the docks need to refer them to the personnel Department of the Institute, write copy and wait when there will be a meeting of the leaders of the expedition team, which choose who goes, who goes, and who remains in "hot standby". For 65 RAE the meeting was held in mid-November.

Briefly about the "hot standby". This so-called "bench" in case someone of those who approved suddenly could not go on the scheduled date. Or on arrival at Cape town (the last stop before Antarctica) is unable or unwilling to continue the expedition.

After approval in the composition of the RAE go to College with labor and everything like everywhere else, not much to tell. If in the morning to start by the end of the day have time to finish. After a couple of hours see what clothes are issued, will be happy (or upset), all describe and to close the topic.

For smoto. Well, I thought I would be sadder, given the previous experience in expeditions and on the watches:

And what I liked the most Polo with stripe RAE) All this after the expedition is likely to be written off and you can keep.

That's it for me, the theme "Woke up this morning and suddenly want to Antarctica" considered fully disclosed.