A blast from the icy past - deploying MetOcean buoys on drifting pack ice by helicopter on the #SIPEX2007 voyage off East Antarctica. The buoy transmitted position and met data as long as its battery lasted, providing critical information on sea ice dynamics. It was one of quite a few deployed that year.

Because it floats, the idea is that eventally it will be recovered from a beach somewhere. I'm not sure it ever was.

...and yes, the helicopter is running the whole time! There's a whole process of leaping out with an ice drill to test thickness before it lands. It was far from the ship or land, so the helicopter kept rotors moving while we worked. Nothing like some time pressure!

#seaice #InternationalPolarYear #helicopters #fieldwork