Explore the vast wilderness of the Deep South with the expertise and operational dexterity of Antarctic Ice Pilot. We are experts in expedition planning for private and charter sailing yachts exploring Chile, the Antarctic, Falkland Is. and South Georgia. We offer an extensive list of services including completing permit applications and providing guides for your yacht. We manage all aspects of your cruising plan or we can act as consultants advising how to prepare for and run your own expedition.

Expeditions to the Southern Hemisphere require significant planning to ensure that legal and environmental requirements are met. Antarctic Ice Pilot have the experience required to ensure a permit to enter the Antarctic Treaty Zone and South Georgia waters is completed correctly for all activities and in time for the expedition. Hiring Antarctic Ice Pilot allows owners and/or captains to out-source this time consuming job of obtaining the necessary permits and approvals. Be aware for example that a minimum of three months is required to receive a US permit to enter the Antarctic Treaty Zone as the US State Department, Environmental Protection Agency and National Science Foundation have strict procedures to be adhered to.

In conjunction with our partners, we offer:

  • Permit applications and IEE (Initial Environmental Evaluations) to include contingency planning and evacuation protocols

  • Detailed itinerary planning including chart lists, and sources for weather and ice information

  • Travel, provisioning and bunkering logistics

  • Expedition vessel naval architecture and vessel refit project management

  • Ice piloting and general guiding

  • Specialist staff including historians, naturalists, doctors, pilots, photographers/videographers, and dive guides

  • Expedition outfitting and logistics, including equipment, clothing, spares, and first aid kits

  • Expedition shoreside support

 

Permit Applications and Consultancy

The Antarctic Treaty Zone (south of 60) and South Georgia are protected areas and vessel must receive permission to enter them. We can help identify necessary permits and complete the application process for you. We also act as consultants on a range of requirements including how to meet and operate within the enforced environmental standards.

Planning the Adventure; Yacht Preparation and Cruising Logistics

Your ice pilot guide works with your captain to prepare the yacht for the remote cruising in the high latitudes including realistic planning of your cruise and a database with little known anchorages and charted areas. We design itineraries using years of experience in the sailing grounds of Chile, the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands and South Georgia. Our network of local contacts and our own experienced former polar base residents, yacht and superyacht captains mean you will be dealing with people who understand your concerns, expectations and also have a deep knowledge of the area.

We can advise you on the challenge of the polar environment and help answer questions, such as:

  • When should you go?

  • What conditions will you encounter?

  • How do you decrease your environmental impact and comply with the Antarctic Treaty?

  • What onboard systems will struggle with the cold, ice or glacial sediment?

  • How can you decrease your commute and increase your exploring time south?

Expedition Guides and Ice Pilots 

We have expert knowledge of local conditions, anchorages and activities, our principle herself has over twenty years of experience in the yachting industry as well as having lived ‘on base’ with the British Antarctic Survey in both the summer and winter in Antarctica and South Georgia.

Your ice pilot can provide generalist knowledge of the regions history, geomorphology and wildlife providing a formal presentation on each landing spot and the general scenery of the area bringing the region to life.  If you require more specialist historians, naturalists or photographers/videographers Antarctic Ice Pilot can introduce you to the best in their field.

As the permit holder for the expedition, your ice pilot will ensure all activities are within the confines of the Antarctic Treaty and are in line with IATTO’s operational procedures. Whatever the activity, we will ensure you are safely diving, kayaking, SUPing or mountaineering.

Antarctic Ice Pilot supports IATTO’s goals of promoting and practicing safe and environmentally responsible tourism in the pristine and ecologically sensitive Antarctic. We ensure your sailing adventure is run to the same high safety and environment standards as an IATTO expedition by using the same operating procedures. If we are complementing an existing crew, we will assimilate into that crew and will work with them to enhance the operating style of a yacht to comply with local environmental regulations.

Expedition Clothing and Equipment

Special equipment and clothing are necessary to provide an enjoyable and safe expedition. We can provide or advise on stranding kits, clothing, specialist first aid, and contingency kits. We will recommend books, maps, reading lists, and videos to enhance the guest experience. We will provide our own charts and shoreside emergency kits, which will save you a significant amount of money and keeps purchases of extra equipment not required after the expedition to a minimum.