My once-in-a-lifetime engineering expedition: Supporting Rothera research in Antarctica
Sweco author: Sarah Capperauld
I’m Sarah Capperauld, a Technical Manager within Sweco’s Energy Water and Environment (EWE) division based in Edinburgh. For several years I’ve been working on the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme (AIMP), and I’m about to embark on an exciting adventure to Antarctica where I will be joining our field-based team at the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) research station in Rothera.
Whilst in Rothera, my work will focus on the Discovery Building, the new world-class scientific support and operations facility. We’re currently in season 5 on the construction of the Discovery Building, focusing on the internal fit-out works, including the mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) services, internal partitioning and fire stopping.
My background is actually in Building Services and even though I’m now the Design Manager on the Framework, overseeing the technical delivery of all the Phase 1 and Phase 2 Project, I have worked in-depth on the MEP design for the Discovery Building for the last five or six years. I’m looking forward to being on site to see everything come to life.
Whilst on site, I’ll be able to support the BAM and G&A Barnie Construction Team, and answer questions arising in real time. There have been quite a lot of queries coming out of site this season, and many of them have been MEP and Architecturally related.
Although I’ve been able to answer those questions remotely with support from the rest of the design team in the UK, hopefully when I’m there in person, it’ll be easier to deal with queries on the spot. This will help to save valuable time for the Construction Team during the 6-month seasonal construction window, before most of the Construction team leave to head back to the UK at the end of April.
My journey home
For the journey home, I will board the RSS Sir David Attenborough, on 20 April. The ship will travel from Rothera to Falklands where it is scheduled to arrive on 24 April. From there, I’ll fly back to the UK via RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. I should arrive home on 26-27 April, all being well.
I’ll be sharing stories during my visit, so keep an eye out for these.
On a personal note…
It’ll be really hard to leave my two girls, Ailsa (9) and Mirren (7) when I go, especially as Mirren will be turning 8 while I’m away in Rothera! I’ve tried my best to soften the blow by throwing her an early birthday party, and the promise of another one when I get back. I know it won’t make up for me not being there in person on the day, but I hope she doesn’t hold it against me for too long!
My husband, Gordon, will also have the unenviable task of being mum and dad while I’m away. I see this as a valuable life lesson, but not sure he agrees!
I’ve also been into my daughters’ Primary School to do a presentation about extreme engineering and the work I’ve been involved in with BAS, and what my trip will entail. It’s great to have the opportunity to inspire our future engineers and difference makers.
