17.01.2010

Booms to Antarctica

A J Access Platforms has supplied the British Antarctic Survey with two specially adapted Genie Z60/34 track mounted articulating booms for its Halley VI project located at the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica.
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The Halley project on the Brunt Ice Shelf in Antarctica

The machines were purchased by Morrison Construction which has the contract to build the new accommodation pods and workstations at Halley. The booms are fitted with snow tracks, have hostile environment kits fitted along with specialist grade oils.

The units arrived in mid December aboard the RSS Ernest Shackleton from Cape Town. It was here in 1985 that scientists first found evidence of O-Zone depletion in the stratosphere above Antarctica and whilst atmospheric research is the primary focus, work in geology and glaciology is carried out as well.
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The Genie Z60/34 was specially adapted for the application

70 staff will be living and working at the location over the summer months, while around 16 will stay over winter. These include chefs, doctors, scientists and engineers.

The two boom lifts are being put to use for up to 10 hours a day and are checked twice daily by the engineers.

You can find out more about the British Antarctic Survey and its research at www.antarctica.ac.uk