Friday: Fournier Bay

Friday morning's briefing informed us that this was the day we would develop our Zodiac boating skills.  We stopped at Fournier Bay, the perfect place to practice, because it offered a wind break and calm water.  These newly acquired boating skills prepared us for shore landings that were under less than ideal conditions.

The crew launched a "pilot" boat to test the water and ice conditions before any passengers were permitted to board one of the Zodiacs.

The Zodiacs are inflated rubber boats powered by a 50 hp outboard motor seating 8-10 passengers.  They can travel at a speed of 30 mph in open water.  Really cool! ( I mean REALLY because the air temperature is about 32 degrees and everyone is exposed to the elements.)

Floating on a sheet of ice, we stopped our motor and watched a Leopard Walrus enjoy the sun.

Our guide attempted  to restart the motor, but it's battery was dead!  Luckily, the "safety" boat was nearby, and offered us a tow.  The going was slow, so the safety boat decided to make a "boat-to-boat" transfer, moving our 8 passengers to their boat.

One passenger at a time, we slid across the rubber tubes that formed the Zodiac's hull into the safety boat.  Success, and no one fell overboard in the maneuver!  Oh Oh!  The safety boats motor failed to start!  A third Zodiac pulled along side and once again we performed the boat-to-boat transfer, successfully!  To date, we are the only eight Viking passengers to have completed 2 boat-to-boat transfers, ever!