[QUOTE=+A465B;145736]We do ensure that for any customers in the Asia Market that are contemplating operations in the Polar Bear Zone A-69, we offer specialized training in our East Asia facilities. Depending on the nature of your requirements, we offer combo packages that can be sandwiched into your schedule, all necessary riders and for the adventuresome, even a surprise “package” detectable upon first use.
I’ll take nrs. 1 & 3 for a soapy.[/QUOTE]
DONE! I’ll take nrs. 2 & 4 for a nighttime bear muff search!
It is a true pleasure doing business with you sir…you know EXACTLY what the customer WANTS!
you can certainly count on many more bookings from me…
[QUOTE=c.captain;145724]…when he suddenly witnessed two Walrusses (or is it Walrusai?) copulating in the water immediately ahead of the tug…[/QUOTE]
Walri?
Anyway, been there, done that, and here’s a pic for proof:
We did not hit them, though. They went straight down just in front of the research ship and surfaced some distance behind us. I don’t think anyone else but me and couple of my friends standing with me in the bow saw them.
Having your dad walk into your room while you’re in the middle of something is bad. Turning around and seeing a ship approaching at 12 knots is probably worse.
As for polar bears, I’ve been a polar bear guard during our field trips. It’s a pain in the ass, but someone has to stand with the rifle while the others do science. We had to go back to the ship couple of times when a bear came too close.
Sorry about the bad white balance and underexposed eyes; I developed these pics during the cruise with my laptop which has a crappy display.
edit: We also had a polar bear walking around Nordica at night while we were waiting for the Russian icebreakers - we saw the tracks in the morning. It may be amusing to talk about them as a threat, but you wouldn’t want to meet one in a dark back alley. They are really nice animals, partially due to their take-shit-from-no-one- and everything-is-food-until-proven-otherwise -attitude…
When I was living in Svalbard, I always had a rifle and a flare gun with me when I was travelling outside the settlement. Again, it’s a pain in the ass, but you wouldn’t want to go without.
Royal Dutch Shell Plc is asking the Obama administration for five more years to explore for oil off Alaska’s coast, saying set backs and legal delays may push the start of drilling past the 2017 expiration of some leases.
[QUOTE=tugsailor;146947]Shell is just now ( after six years and $6 Billion spent) realizing that they “lack Arctic viable drill rigs”?[/QUOTE]
Chump change.
The play is to get the production going (wave flag, USA energy security, jobs, etc., etc. - insert selling point here - …).
Then ASAP flick the oil over to NE Asia, making a whole lot of extra cake on the long term shipping cost savings and allowing diversion of Mideast supplies to Europe and US.
That political fix is already a near done deal, and soon enough will be bought and paid for. And the US taxpayers will still have to pay for the protection of the mideast supplies to boot ! Perfect. perfect !
Short sighted for the USA, but works plenty good enough for the majors.
Is not and never was about oil for USA. Ever.
Sorry if it hurts. Would be great to hear more on the economics from the analyst fellow that chimes in from time to time
