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  5. 17. Whalers Bay

17. Whalers Bay
17.Whalers Bay
 
62º59´00´´S, 60º34´00´´W
Port Foster, Deception Island.
Latest Revision: 2011
 
Key Features
 
- Historic Site and Monument No. 71, including:
- the remains of the Norwegian Hektor Whaling Station
- the site of the Whaler’s Cemetery and other whaling remains along the beach
- the abandoned British ‘Base B’
- Neptunes Window
- Ronald Hill
 
Description
TOPOGRAPHY
Whalers Bay is a small harbour located immediately to the northeast after passing through Neptunes Bellows. The Whalers Bay site includes a semi-circular, gently sloping ash beach, which is approximately 2km in length and stretches from Penfold Point in the northwest to Cathedral Crags in the southeast. Kroner Lake, a geo-thermally heated lagoon, is located on the western side of the bay. Ronald Hill (103m) is located 800m north of the lagoon, whilst steep glacier cliffs with dark grey pyroclastic layers rise immediately to the northwest. A collapse of Cathedral Crags on the south-eastern side of Whalers Bay is known as Neptunes Window. Of particular importance are the low fluvial terraces behind the site of the whaling station and remains of the lahar (mud slide) which formed as a result of an eruption in 1969.
FAUNA
Confirmed breeders: Antarctic tern, Cape petrel, Kelp gull, Skua, Wilson’s storm petrel.
Resting: Antarctic fur seal, chinstrap Penguin, Crabeater Seal, Gentoo penguin, Leopard seal, Weddell seal.
Also present: Blue-eyed shag, Snowy sheathbill.
FLORA
Geo-thermally active scoria outcrops to the east of the whaling station support moss and lichen, which also grow on the timber, iron and brick structures and on the cliffs and massive boulders at Cathedral Crags and Neptunes Window. Rare and important species may also be present. Usnea spp., Xanthoria spp., Caloplaca spp. and Deschampsia antarctica are present in the Cathedral Crags area.
OTHER
The buildings, structures and other artefacts on the shore of Whalers Bay, which date from the period 1906-1931, represent the most significant whaling remains in the Antarctic. Other buildings, structures and artefacts of the British ‘Base B’ represent an important aspect of the scientific history of the area (1944- 1969). The site is designated as Historic Site and Monument No. 71.
 
Visitor Impact
KNOWN IMPACTS
Graffiti on historic structures. Removal of historic artefacts. Erosion of footpaths en route to Neptunes Window.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Damage to or removal of historic artefacts. Trampling of vegetation. Erosion of further paths. Fire. Damage to beach area due to ship operations (anchoring, release of pollutants, maritime accidents, etc.).
 
Landing Requirements
SHIPS*
Max pax on board: 500
VISITORS
Maximum number of visitors at any time, exclusive of expedition guides and leaders: 100
Visitors per guide: 20
Comments: One ship at a time.
 
Visitor Area
LANDING AREA
The recommended landing site for small boat operations is in the area in front of and adjacent to the floating dock, although be sensitive to the presence of birds and/or seals. The area directly in front of the whalers’ boilers can be used as a secondary landing site.
CLOSED AREA
Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 140 Parts of Deception Islands, Site K - Ronald Hill to Kroner Lake. Site K consists of (i) Kroner Lake and an area between c. 75 – 150m wide around the lake shoreline, (ii) the circular crater basin immediately south of Ronald Hill and (iii) the shallow gulley linking the two features (see Map). Access to Site K is prohibited unless with a permit issued in accordance with provisions in Annex V to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.
Access to buildings or other structures, including boilers and tanks, is prohibited unless for management purposes, or for shelter in an emergency**.
The geologically important, and fragile, fluvial terraces located to the north of the whaling station. Visitors should not attempt to traverse the scree slope below Cathedral Crags, which is susceptible to rock falls.

** Tour companies visit the site at their own risk. The UK authorities are not liable for any personal injury or damage to property that may be sustained.
GUIDED WALKING AREA
Visitors to Neptunes Window should proceed along the beach on the seaward side of the water-boats. They should then walk up the slope towards the ‘window’ in single file remaining on existing paths. Extreme caution should be exercised along the steep and friable edge of Neptunes Window. Follow existing paths back down to the beach.

Visitors to Ronald Hill should proceed up the ridge north of the aircraft hangar, towards the peak of Ronald Hill. Distance should be kept from the steep western edge of the ridge which is friable and susceptible to erosion. Follow the same route back to the hangar before returning to the landing site.
FREE ROAMING AREA
Visitors can move freely under supervision on the seaward side of the whaling station and along the beach.
 
 
Visitor code of conduct
BEHAVIOUR ASHORE
  • Approach oil and fuel tanks with caution. The foundations are vulnerable to erosion and the tanks are at risk of collapse. Do not enter buildings or tanks or sit or climb on the boats. Maintain a reasonable distance from any structures to avoid injury from collapsing debris.
  • Do not dig bathing pits.
  • Hiking between Whalers Bay and Baily Head is strongly discouraged as it can damage important vegetated areas, in particular Antarctica’s largest recorded stand of Antarctic pearlwort.
  • In order to avoid entry into ASPA 140, do not go beyond the western end of the airplane hangar.
  • Maintain a precautionary distance of 5 metres from wildlife and give animals the right-of-way. Increase this distance if any change in behaviour is observed.
  • Maintain at least a 20m distance from seismic monitoring equipment and other types of scientific equipment, which normally will be marked with a red flag. Do not touch or disturb other types of scientific instruments, markers or field depots.
  • Visits are to be undertaken in line with the Management Plan for Deception Island Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) No. 4.
CAUTIONARY NOTES
All visits must be planned taking into account the significant risk posed by the threat of volcanic eruption. Up to date information can be obtained from the stations operating on the island.

All the buildings on this site are in poor physical condition and there is an ongoing risk that parts of these buildings may collapse or sections be blown off. Entry to the buildings is unsafe. Buildings should be approached with caution and entry is prohibited. Beware of sharp objects. In high winds the whole area should be avoided because of the risk of flying debris.

Beware of hazardous substances. Materials containing asbestos may be present at the site.
 
 
Overview of Whalers Bay visitor site with Neptunes Window in the background Details from the cemetery in front, and remains of hunting lodge and fuel tanks in the back.
 
 
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