Members aboard China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, are experience summer at temperatures persistent at zero degree Celsius in the southern hemisphere on China's 41st Antarctic expedition.
They are also spending many of their first New Year's Day away from home.
Among the Antarctic adventurers is Chen Dongbin, a sailor and drone enthusiast on the research icebreaker Xuelong 2. Still in his twenties, Chen has already taken five voyages to the polar regions and conducted drone operations on the research icebreaker for three to four years.
During the voyage, whenever there is an important event or a special scene, Chen's drone is there to capture it, such as when research icebreaker Xuelong 2 docked with the cargo vessel Yongsheng in the Antarctic.
Pei Jiahao, an engineer aboard Xuelong 2, is another experienced expedition member. His main job is to stay in the lab, use and maintain equipment for the expedition, and to participate in and support the work of oceanographic operations.
Pei is also a passionate photographer and claims many prizes among his over 20,000 photos. From snow-covered mountain to adorable penguins, from arduous task of working on ice to sheets of floating ice, Pei has been recording his work and life through the lens of his camera.
"Many of my friends and family are unable to be on the spot, so I hope to take more beautiful photos and share with them when I get back," said Pei.
There are other ways to document life aboard. Zu Chengdi, assistant chief engineer of Xuelong 2, is a poetry lover. Having participated in 12 Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, he has written nearly 200 poems to record his emotions on each voyage.
In Zu's poems, he describes his busy daily work, joy of reunion with his old colleagues, and feeling of nostalgia.
"I think of them, all the time. It's Chinese tradition, On festive occasions more than ever one thinks of one's dear ones far away. [My daughter] is seven and a half years old this year. I often browse the videos [of her] that I recorded before. After all, I've missed much of her growth," said Zu.
For the crew members, the Antarctic expedition means to be far away from their folks during the New Year's Day and Spring Festival.
"I'm 23. This is my second polar mission this year, and I've been to the Arctica once. I wish our voyage a complete success," said Yang liwei, a system administrator of Xuelong 2.
"Those born in the 1990s and 2000s make up 50 percent of the crew. These young people have now grown into the backbone of our team. We constantly have new talents join our polar missions who have brought a fresh atmosphere to the ship," said Xiao Zhimin, captain of Xuelong 2.
China's 41st Antarctic expedition set sail on Nov 1, 2024, starting a mission expected to last nearly seven months.
During the expedition, researchers will build the supporting infrastructure for the Qinling Station in Antarctica, investigate the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem, and conduct international research and logistics cooperation.
Chinese icebreaker crew spends New Year in Antarctica
