2012 Press Releases
IAATO Comments on Recent Yacht-Related Incidents in Antarctic Waters
April 18, 2012, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Recent incidents and sightings involving yachts in Antarctic waters have generated considerable interest and concern among the members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
The incidents and reports – some of which have been covered by the media – involve commercial and private yachts not associated in any way with IAATO, according to Administrative Director Steve Wellmeier. Some of the incidents include:
- The sinking of the Brazilian motor yacht Mar Sem Fim April 7 in Maxwell Bay, South Shetland Islands. The four Brazilian passengers and crew were rescued unharmed by the Chilean Navy and transported by air from the nearby Presidente Eduardo Frei airstrip to Punta Arenas, Chile. The suspected cause of the sinking was compression of ice following severe weather the day earlier.
- The detention and subsequent release of the yacht Nilaya – operated by self-proclaimed “wild viking” Jarle Andhoy – by Chilean authorities in Puerto Williams, Chile, following its arrival from the Ross Sea via the Antarctic Peninsula. Andhoy is reportedly wanted by the New Zealand authorities for sailing to Antarctica on two occasions without permits, insurance or contingency plans. Last year, Andhoy’s yacht Berserk sank in McMurdo Sound in the Ross Sea with the loss of three crewmembers. He has had previous run-ins with the governments of Norway, Finland, Russia and Canada.
“We are pleased to learn that the passengers and crew of these vessels are safe following their most recent Antarctic travels. Nevertheless, serious questions remain about the preparedness and experience of some of these operators, and whether proper permits were secured from their respective national authorities for travel to Antarctica," Wellmeier said.
IAATO Hires New Environmental Operations Assistant: Claudia Holgate
March 7, 2012, Providence, RI. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) today announced the appointment of Claudia Holgate to the part-time position of Environmental Operations Assistant.
"We welcome Claudia to the IAATO team, and the entire organization looks forward to benefiting from her considerable experience and background skills in furthering the Association's core mission: to promote safe and environmentally responsible travel to the Antarctic," noted Administrative Director Steve Wellmeier.
Claudia Holgate has worked in the environmental field for 15 years, including assignments as a program manager on an international water project for the United Nations and Greening the World Summit on Sustainable Development. She also has experience working at all levels of government and ten years running an independent environmental consultancy. She spent three years in academia lecturing on climatology and environmental management at Monash University, where she is still an Adjunct Research Associate in the School of Geosciences. Claudia has a deep attachment to the Antarctic and has been working on expedition cruise ships, primarily in the Polar Regions, for the past five years.
IAATO reminds travel agents and tour operators with Japan-based clients about Antarctic travel requirements from Japanese Ministry of the Environment
February 21, Providence, RI. In an effort to assist travel agents and tour operators with Antarctica travel planning for their Japanese clients and foreign residents of Japan, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is making new information available from the Japanese Ministry of the Environment.
"Japanese nationals, as well as citizens of other countries who live in Japan, intending to visit Antarctica are required to notify the Ministry of the Environment prior to their trip," according to Steve Wellmeier, executive director of IAATO. "While this isn't a new requirement and is usually handled efficiently by the tour operator, it is sometimes overlooked by Japanese citizens traveling with non-Japanese companies, expatriates residing in Japan, or by travel agents who aren't aware of the regulation."
Wellmeier added that no special permit is typically required, only that the traveler, their travel agent or tour operator notifies the Ministry by email with relevant information.
IAATO Continues its Educational Campaign for Antarctica-bound Yachts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE...
February 21, Providence, RI. Following a good response to its public awareness campaign focusing on yacht operators, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has continued its efforts during the current 2011-12 season to educate those bound for Antarctica aboard sailing or motor vessels.
The ongoing campaign consists of updated free information for yacht operators on the IAATO website, a revised "Sailing to Antarctica?" multi-language pamphlet, and posters displayed in popular yacht clubs and port authorities in southern Argentina and Chile, the most common launching points for yacht expeditions to Antarctica. Both the pamphlets and the posters – in English, French and Spanish – are available in electronic PDF format for downloading from the IAATO website.
"Our members – including a number of veteran Antarctic yacht operators – have come together over the years to initiate and put into practice operational standards that promote safety and mitigate potential environmental impacts," noted IAATO Executive Director Steve Wellmeier. "The goal for the outreach campaign is simple: to share these best practices with non-IAATO yacht owners – both private and charter operators – so that they understand the responsibilities and commitment necessary to protect themselves and to preserve the unspoiled Antarctic environment."