Honda 'Polar Bearers' arrive in Antarctica
30 Jan 2007
Few of us can imagine what life must be like living and working in the Antarctic but that's exactly what the members of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) do, and their journey to work depends on Honda's All Terrain Vehicles.
As the coldest place on earth, Antarctica represents one of the harshest living environments on the planet. Such an inhospitable and remote area demands vehicles used for transportation must withstand staggeringly low temperatures and relentless, icy winds. In addition, the fragility of the Antarctican environment means it is vital that a vehicle’s ecological footprint is kept to a minimum. To bear up to these sub-zero conditions, members of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) selected a fleet of Honda Foremans as their vehicle of choice. Few of us can imagine what life must be like living and working in the Antarctic but that’s exactly what the members of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) do, and their journey to work depends on Honda’s All Terrain Vehicles.
Recently, two specially modified Honda ATVs were added to the existing stock of Honda Foremans in anticipation of the construction of the new Halley VI Research Station. Scheduled to be fully operational by 2011, the construction of the site is a huge task and demands the toughest of vehicles, able to operate safely and reliably on the trickiest of terrains. Currently on a trial run, the two custom Honda Foremans use special track systems attached to the standard Honda ATV, allowing the team to cross terrain usually restricted to more specialised snowmobiles.
Martin Bell, Deputy Project Manager in charge of logistics
"There’s a big push this season to carry out vehicle testing as we’ll soon be starting build on the new Halley VI station and vehicles are the key to success. We’ve always used Honda ATVs as they’re well made and highly reliable in the punishing Antarctic environment but this is the first time we’ve trialled the new, modified Hondas. Obviously we’ve put them through their paces and they have been amazing. Not only can they cross the same terrain as the snowmobiles but they out-pull them which is really impressive. They also benefit from the improved control, increased reliability and more efficient handling of a Honda ATV. We plan to order three more to add to the existing fleet and, where possible, eventually hope to replace the snowmobiles with ATVs."
The majority of the Honda Foreman ATVs that make up the BAS fleet run as-delivered from the UK, with no modifications, demonstrating the model’s exceptional dexterity across numerous and diverse terrains including those of this remote and desolate area of the world. Used for low impact traversing to and from ‘the office’, the machines have become an integral part of everyday life – the general workhorse that makes everyday jobs simpler and safer to perform as well as being exceptionally fuel efficient.
In addition to the fleet of Honda ATVs, the British Antarctic Survey relies on Honda generators and more than 40 small Honda GX engine powered appliances which are used around the stations by maintenance crew supporting science campaigns on the polar icecap.
Martin Bell, Deputy Project Manager in charge of logistics
"When you’re working in conditions as harsh as the Antarctic, it’s critical you can rely on your equipment which is why we chose Honda GX160 engines. Used in numerous vital pieces of equipment as diverse as water pumps and aircraft refuelling stations, it’s a very well proven engine we know we can trust."
British Antarctic Survey is a world leader in research into global issues in an Antarctic context. It is the UK's national operator and is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council. It has an annual budget of around £40 million, runs nine research programmes and operates five research stations, two Royal Research Ships and five aircraft in and around Antarctica. More information about the work of the Survey can be found at: www.antarctica.ac.uk. For more information on all Honda’s products, see www.honda.co.uk.
