Preparations for the Field

This event used several large equipment items from Scott Base which required checking and minor repair-cleaning before use. Our field assistant Geoff Blake went to Scott Base early to prepare some of this equipment and our scientific equipment. It was a little disappointing however to find more items than I expected required servicing before we could use them. This servicing should have been the responsibility of Scott Base staff. The main problems were the Cantago sledges which required digging out of the snow and servicing, NZ-1 wannigan which we had to clean twice because it was used for Scott Base Sunday excursions after we had taken possession, and the D3 servicing which is the Scott Base mechanic's responsibility, although some people thought this was our job also. There was also some confusion over generator allocation and other mechanical items which are serviced by the mechanic but controlled by the storeman. A solution to this type of problem would be for the mechanic to have both servicing and issue responsibility for this equipment. An example of this problem was that our field assistant ended up servicing two generators, one for our use and one that was allocated to another field party.