17. Whalers Bay

17.Whalers Bay

62º59´00´´S, 60º34´00´´W

Port Foster, Deception Island.

Latest Revision: 2018

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’
• Neptune’s Window
• Ronald Hill
• Comprises part of Deception Island Antarctic Specially Managed Area No 4.

Description

TOPOGRAPHY

Whalers Bay is a small harbour located immediately to the northeast after passing through Neptune’s 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 Neptune’s 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.

Hauled out: Crabeater Seal, Fur seal, Weddell seal.

Offshore: Leopard seal.

Resting: Blue-eyed shag, chinstrap Penguin, Gentoo penguin, 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. Deschampsia antarctica and lichen species including Usnea spp., Xanthoria spp., and Caloplaca spp. 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 and
aerial mapping 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. There is known erosion and trampling of vegetation on the path between Baily Head and Whalers Bay.

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
Ships at a time: 1
Comments: Maximum 3 ships per day (midnight to midnight), of which no more than 2 can carry over 200 passengers.

* A ship is defined as a vessel which carries more than 12 passengers.

VISITORS

Maximum number of visitors at any time, exclusive of expedition guides and leaders: 100
Visitors per guide: 20
Comments: Guides should be positioned at key locations to ensure, in particular, no entry into ASPA 140, but
also at other locations such as Biscoe House, the fuel tanks and Neptune’s Window.

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. 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.

** Visitors to the site do so at their own risk. Parties are not liable for any personal injury or damage to property that may be sustained.

GUIDED WALKING AREA

Visitors to Neptune’s Window should proceed along the beach on the seaward side of the water-boats. However, if concentrations of wildlife are present on the shore visitors, should take an alternate path across the upper beach once past the water-boats, being careful not to step on heritage objects. Visitors 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 Neptune’s Window. Follow same route 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 approach within 5 metres of any of the wooden buildings. Maintain a reasonable distance from all structures to avoid injury from collapsing debris.
Do not dig bathing pits.
Do not enter buildings or tanks or sit or climb on the boats. Do not tread on any loose material across the site as this all forms part of the HSM.
Do not hike between Whalers Bay and Baily Head as it can damage important vegetated areas, in particular Antarctica’s largest recorded stand of Antarctic pearlwort. The hike also presents a safety risk to visitors due to steep slopes, sheer drop-offs and often slippery terrain.
Maintain a precautionary distance of 5 metres from wildlife and give animals the right-of-way. Keep distance to nesting Kelp gulls on top of the flensing plan. 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. This equipment measures seismic activity and other volcanic indicators and are part of seismic network of Deception Island real time surveillance. A map of Deception Island seismic instrumentation, including seismic monitoring equipment will be available and updated for every season.
To avoid entry into ASPA 140, do not go beyond the western end of the airplane hangar.
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 to take into account the significant risk posed by the threat of volcanic eruption. 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. 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 are present at the site.
• Be careful when crossing glacial streams as stones will be slippery.
• Later in the season Fur seals are likely to be present on the beach and should be treated with caution.


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.

17. Whalers Bay

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