A Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteer is spending Christmas in the cold of Antarctica as she’s begun a five-month expedition on Goudier Island.
Lou Hoskin, crew member at Plymouth Lifeboat Station is working with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) to maintain the post office at the bottom of the world. The five-strong team will be stationed for the Austral Summer at Base A, Port Lockroy, known as the birthplace for British Antarctic Science, where they’ll live in constant daylight.
She said: ‘UKAHT look after a number of buildings on the continent, including Station A on Port Lockroy. It was built as part of the Second World War effort but abandoned and fell into a state of disrepair. We all do a lot of roles, but as base leader I am overseeing things, making sure everyone has got everything they need. In worst case scenarios, in emergencies, I take the lead, and my RNLI background and training is absolutely why I was picked for the role.’
The team are managing the world’s southernmost post office, gift shop and museum. They’ll handle thousands of postcards sent from Port Lockroy and welcome visitors from cruise ships. They’ll also monitor the gentoo penguins, approximately 1,000 of which live on the island. This will involve counting nests, eggs and chicks in an effort to protect the colony.
Lou said: ‘Another member of the Plymouth RNLI crew was talking about this trip and said I should apply. The ethos of the RNLI, and experience of being cool and calm in an emergency, will apply out there and be really helpful to me.’
Another team will face unpredictable conditions to reach the remote Blaiklock Island Refuge – UKAHT’s smallest and most inaccessible site.
Camilla Nichol, CEO at UKAHT, said: ‘We have selected the team, not just for their love for Antarctica and a desire to preserve and protect its human history, but also for their resilience too.’
Port Lockroy and Blaiklock Island Refuge are one of the six heritage sites managed by the UKAHT, along with their role in leading the conservation management plan for the famous shipwreck Endurance.
There are many ways to support the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews this Christmas. To find out more, please visit RNLI.org/WinterAppeal.
