Regions: Antarctica
For decades, Oceanwide Expeditions has offered voyages to some of the most remote parts of the polar regions. Whalers Bay on Deception Island is a key stop on many Antarctic journeys, where a stunning backdrop of snow-capped mountains frames the remnants of human history—including a former whaling station and research station. The remains of these buildings are now recognized as historic monuments under the Antarctic Treaty. Locations such as these are ideal educational sites, providing visitors with a whole range of insights, from the island’s volcanic geology to its rich exploration history.
At the forefront of this mission was Adam Turner, Head of Expedition Operations at Oceanwide Expeditions. When he first heard of the instance he found himself in disbelief. "I can’t comprehend how someone thinks it’s acceptable," he said, emphasizing the unique and protected nature of Antarctica. While acknowledging that graffiti can be a subjective topic, he asserted, "There’s absolutely no place for it in Antarctica, especially on a historic monument that’s listed with international protection laws."
With over ten years of experience working in Antarctica, the vandalism also struck a personal chord. "The buildings belong to the British Antarctic Survey, which is where I first worked in Antarctica, and my uncle worked for them as well. So, it’s sad that someone would deface a part of, not just Antarctic heritage, but British Antarctic Survey heritage, which I took personally.”
Picture by Adam Turner
The owner of Oceanwide Expeditions, a historian himself, also took the news to heart and was outraged by the act of vandalism. Determined to take action, Oceanwide quickly stepped forward to support the graffiti removal effort. Adam proposed the initiative to UKAHT and began formulating a plan.
“I knew a couple of local contacts in North Norfolk with experience in removing graffiti from historic buildings so I reached out,” Adam explained. “After we made the offer, we swiftly developed a plan that accounted for both the removal process and environmental considerations. Following initial discussions with UKAHT, it was agreed that we would send a field party to Whalers Bay. This would include the two experts Chris Beardsmore and Shaun Jeary and myself as field guide but also assisting with the removal.”
Picture by Adam Turner
With the combined expertise of UKAHT experts and the Oceanwide team, a detailed plan of action was established, and UKAHT undertook the necessary permitting process. “The whole project required swift action, and the strong collaboration between UKAHT, their experts, and the Oceanwide team ensured we were ready to deploy within weeks,” Adam explained. “Chris and Shaun rearranged their work commitments at short notice to assist, and the project wouldn’t have been possible without them.”
In Argentina, the team began checking provisions and equipment. Once aboard the Ortelius, preparations continued with stowing provisions and equipment into field-use containers, familiarizing themselves with equipment, and coordinating with the ship’s crew, who were on standby in case of emergency.
Picture by Adam Turner
“There was a building excitement heading down there,” Adam recounted. Mixed with feelings of "outrage and upset.” Despite his decade of experience working in Antarctica, each expedition remains an unpredictable challenge. “We were going into the unknown, having never spent overnight there and knowing how changeable the conditions are,” he recalled.
The unpredictable and often harsh conditions of the Antarctic environment, characterized by its notoriously changeable weather and fierce winds, were about to test the expedition team firsthand upon their arrival. “It was very windy, and with that came waves breaking over the Zodiacs as we made our way to shore,” Adam explained.
The team’s immediate priority after the wet landing was to set up camp. “We waved goodbye to the ship, and that was it—there was no time for emotion,” Adam said. The m/v Ortelius, their only connection to the outside world, had already departed, set to return in five days as part of its scheduled cruise. Isolated in the harsh Antarctic landscape, with no way back until then, the team had no choice but to get straight to work.
Picture by Adam Turner
Surviving the Antarctic nights
Preparing for nights in Antarctica demands meticulous planning. “A lot of it is just going through basics of shelter, provisions, and emergency contacts,” Adam noted. His experience has taught him that adaptability is key: “With time, you learn to expect the unexpected, and so we were well prepared for whatever got thrown at us.”
Beyond survival skills, Adam believes the success of any remote mission relies on good teamwork. “Probably one of the most important things working remotely is who you’re working remotely with,” he emphasized. Fortunately, Adam and his team had a strong foundation. “Luckily, all three of us knew each other before as well, which was handy. It takes out any of the ‘interpersonal problems’ you might call them.”
Getting to work
The first full day brought clear blue skies, making it the most productive for graffiti removal. The weather turned soon afterwards, with strong winds and heavy rain forcing the team to adjust their approach. “One morning, I told the guys, ‘We’re not even getting out of the tent,’” Adam recalled. Debris was flying, and they had to get up several times during the night to secure extra ropes on their tents.
When the winds finally died down, snow started to fall. “The next day, we got 15 to 20 centimeters in just four hours. But the snow, at least, we could work through,” Adam said. Despite the challenges, not finishing was never an option. “It was just a matter of how we’d do it and how long it would take to get it done in four days,” he said.
Picture by Adam Turner
The restoration effort itself was a delicate operation - given Antarctica's protected status, the team had to adhere to strict environmental guidelines. "We couldn't use anything which would release the particles of basically plastics from the paint into the atmosphere or onto the ground, so first off, we had to protect the ground, which involved heavy plastic sheeting in layers." Environmental protection was the watchword.
Minimizing contamination was the toughest challenge, but the extreme temperatures added another layer of complexity. "We took three different products with us, all environmentally approved, but we didn’t know which would be most effective until we tested them.” Some chemicals had to be “reactivated” by heating water and then using the product within minutes before needing to repeat. “The chemical was meant to be a gel but had split into solids and liquid.”
Then came the painstaking process of scrubbing and scraping—restoring the structure while preserving its historic integrity. “We wanted to get it as close to the original as possible without being too harsh. It was about striking that balance, respecting the past while repairing the damage,” Adam explained.
With the successful restoration of the hangar, there was a deep sense of satisfaction in seeing it returned to its original state. Looking into the future, he believes education is crucial in ensuring the protection of Antarctica’s historic sites.
Picture by Adam Turner
Beyond stricter regulations on Antarctic tourism—such as requiring all vessels traveling to Antarctica to become members of IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)—Adam sees awareness and education as the driving forces behind real change.
“It’s important to understand the history of what happened in Antarctica during what we call the scientific age. Whalers Bay was a pivotal place for research,” he explained. In the 1960s, the hangar played a key role in Antarctic exploration, serving as a site where aircraft were assembled before flying further into the continent for research. “If you can show someone a building and explain why it was important in the sixties, they’re going to leave with a better understanding of why we’re trying to preserve Antarctica.”
Adam envisions a future where the Antarctic community works together to provide not just an unforgettable experience for visitors, but also a meaningful one—ensuring that every journey to the region is an opportunity to learn, appreciate, and protect its fragile history.
Main image by Adam Turner
Tags: Oceanwide Expeditions, Adam Turner
