Recently, a small group of keen Riccarton High students were lucky enough to get the opportunity to tour a Chinese research vessel, XUELONG.

The vessel was briefly stopped in Lyttelton to off-load passengers and resupply as part of the 164 day CHINARE-34 Voyage. 

The main mission was to establish a camp on the rocky Inexpressible Island in the Ross Sea. 

The camp will be used to support scientific research and construction of China’s fifth Antarctic research station on the continent in the future.

 Throughout the voyage, XUELONG also supported 10 scientific teams in conducting research. 

We explored the on-board laboratories where they sampled and analysed things like the sea-ice, ocean micro plastics and atmospheric pollution. 

The tour also included a look inside the living quarters, main control deck and even a look at the two helicopters on board. 

It was a fascinating and unique experience to get a glimpse into life onboard an Antarctic research vessel.