This Year’s Ice Council Meeting was held in Oslo, and had a record-high number of nearly 60 delegates attending. It was the first time it was organized as a standalone conference, without being linked to another event. We were naturally overwhelmed by the many participants coming a long way to join us for our arrangement.
When being in Oslo and Norway, we took the opportunity to look a little back in time when the brave Norwegians Nansen and Amundsen explored the polar waters. We asked ourselves whether any parallels could be drawn between the old time and the present operations in the polar waters. Nansen and Amundsen were also very focused on the ice going vessels’ design and reinforcements like we still are today. Collection of met ocean and ice data are equally applicable today. Good planning and preparations when entering remote locations were of utmost importance also then. Human exposures and mental impacts from operating in darkness and far from civilization may have been more extreme 100 years ago, but cannot be underestimated even today. By learning from past experience we will be better prepared!
The continuing challenges were well addressed in this years’ program and presentations, while the meeting was concluded by a light dinner on the deck of the historical and majestic polar vessel “Fram” at the museum.
Many thanks to all the participants and contributors. We hope to see all of you at next Ice Council Meeting. Time and place will be announced on the our website www.Viking-Ice.com early 2017. For more information on Viking Ice Council please visit us.