The British Antarctic Survey operates a fleet of vehicles at Rothera Research Station. To ensure that the fleet remains reliable and succeeds in supporting deep-field science and station operations there’s is fully equipped mechanical workshop staffed by vehicle and plant technicians.
Rothera mechanical workshops maintain a stock of wheeled and tracked vehicles that are used for field operations as well as general use around the station either for work or recreational purpose.
The garage facilities at both Halley and Rothera are well equipped and the vehicle mechanics are able to repair most breakdowns that may occur on site. Both garage facilities are heated and the mechanics have their own office. The stores hold a comprehensive array of stock items with the stock levels and maintenance records stored on a computerised planned preventative maintenance system (PPM). Mechanics are expected to use this system to carry out a yearly stock check and write reports. The ordering of spares is carried out by the Cambridge office and replacement stock reaches the Stations in the Antarctic summer by the Survey’s two ships.
Take a virtual visit to our garage in Antarctica:
The Vehicles team returns vehicles annually to the Cambridge workshops on a rolling programme to ensure reliability and in some cases to be tested and certified. Vehicle mechanics maybe required to work in Cambridge to carry out overhaul work as well as training and attending conferences before heading south to Antarctica.
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Scientists working in Antarctica will benefit from a major new British Antarctic Survey (BAS) facility that demonstrates the UK’s position as a world leader in polar research.
