Welcome to BrashTalk #31
The Newsletter of the Polar Tourism Guides Association
In this issue:
- Opening Message
- Updates
- Arctic Pre-Season Summit
- Scuttlebutt
- Upcoming Webinar Schedule
- Join Clean Up Iceland – A Call to Action
- Training and Development by Rusty S. Hackle
- Leading a Hike: Dynamic Positioning
- Guano Happens
- Vessel and Zodiac Transitions
- Meet Your Colleague: Sergei Sakharov
- PTGA Guide Status Updates
As the Antarctic season wraps up, thanks to everyone for a successful and rewarding season down south. It’s been great to welcome many new members to the PTGA and we’ve seen an incredible amount of progress with PTGA Assessments taking place on board. Guides continue to grow and develop regardless of how many certifications or years they’ve had in the industry.
The Arctic season is quickly approaching us —before the last ship even departs Antarctica! You can count on PTGA to funnel you all the resources and information you’ll need to prepare for your upcoming Arctic season, starting now.
This edition of the BrashTalk newsletter is packed with helpful resources, including a schedule of upcoming webinars for guides to prepare for the Arctic season. I’m especially looking forward to our upcoming Arctic Pre-Season Summit on April 7th with AECO and hope to see you all there.
There’s plenty to dive into this issue and we hope you find it all helpful.
Thanks again for all your hard work this season and hoping everyone gets some well-deserved rest!
Take care,
Sarah
PTGA Arctic Pre-Season Summit
April 7 at 20:00 UTC
Join us for our annual Arctic Pre-Season Summit panel discussion where we bring our community together to discuss and highlight new information and knowledge before the season gets underway.
This summit will be especially relevant to guides’ interests, concerns and questions as you prepare for Arctic work. A panel of your peers and relevant topic experts will share and discuss what’s new this season including AECO updates and much more.
Keep an eye out on our social media channels as the panelists are introduced leading up to the event!
No registration is required and the link to join the summit on Zoom is here!
We will record it so if you can’t make it live, it will be uploaded in the Resources for Guides section of polartourismguides.com and on the PTGA YouTube Channel.
We look forward to seeing you on April 7th!
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Upcoming Webinar Schedule
There are many upcoming webinars related to expedition guide work and the Arctic season. We thought it would be easiest to compile all upcoming webinars here in date order for you!
March 29, 2025 at 20:00 UTC – GUIDE-BEST Webinar
On 27 March at 20:00 UTC, GUIDE-BEST is inviting all polar tour guides and especially those with Antarctic experience to attend a sharing event. Several researchers from the project will informally present their work-in-progress to the guiding community, and invite you to share input and feedback. You will learn about our theoretical and empirical findings, including interview studies with current and former Antarctic tour guides, and a review of meanings of “Antarctic ambassadorship”. Researchers will also inform you about their planned research activities for 2025, and are interested in your comments and suggestions. You can find more info about the GUIDE-BEST project here.
The GUIDE-BEST team aims to create an inclusive and safe environment where research can be discussed and conducted in collaboration with important knowledge holders.
The meeting will last approx. 90 minutes. It won’t be recorded, and feedback shared with the researchers will be anonymous. No registration needed. The Zoom link for the event is here.
If you cannot attend, don’t worry! GUIDE-BEST is planning another sharing event before the start of the next Antarctic season (roughly in October 2025). So – stay tuned! Questions? Please contact Zdenka Sokolickova.
April 1, 2025 at 14:00 UTC
Polar Bear Webinar for Arctic Guides
Register here!
This webinar for guides will explore the critical role of guides in polar bear conservation, the research behind conservation efforts in Svalbard, and how guides can foster nuanced conversations about sensitive topics. Participants will also get an introduction to a comprehensive handbook developed to assist guides, with a special focus on providing tools for discussing climate change and other polar bear issues. Finally, there will be an opportunity to engage directly with a polar bear researcher during a Q&A session.
By registering, you’ll also receive PBI’s quarterly newsletter for guides, including resources and info on the next webinar for Canadian guiding in Autumn 2025.
Polar Bears International is the only nonprofit with a sole focus on polar bears and their sea ice habitat. Our mission is to conserve polar bears and their sea ice home. We also work to inspire people to care about the Arctic, the threats to its future, and the connection between this fragile ecosystem and our global climate.
April 2, 2025 13:00 – 14:00 UTC | 15:00 – 16:00 CEST
Introduction to AECO’s Cruise Database
Click here to register!
Webinar primarily for expedition leaders who use the Cruise Database system on board.
April 7, 2025 at 20:00 UTC
PTGA Arctic Pre-Season Summit
Join the summit on Zoom here (no registration required).
PTGA’s annual Arctic Pre-Season Summit. Be sure to keep an eye out on our social media channels as the panelists are introduced leading up to the event!
April 23, 2025 13:00 – 14:30 UTC | 15:00 – 16:30 CEST
AECO Tools and Resources | Webinar for Field Staff
Click here to Register!
An overview of the Cruise Database and O-VRAT, along with information on Clean Up Iceland and other pre-season insights.
A Message from AECO: Join Clean Up Iceland – A Call to Action
As marine pollution remains to be a pressing issue, AECO continues with their initiative Clean Up Iceland for the third season. Thanks to AECO’s strong partnerships with landowners, port authorities, and local organizations, getting involved is simple! Through this simple guide you can learn how to access cleanup sites and responsibly dispose of waste.
Explore the Updated Marine Litter Toolkit for Guides
For those guiding participants on cleanups, we’ve got an exciting update! The Marine Litter Toolkit for Guides has been revamped to make it more user-friendly and mobile-friendly. The toolkit is designed to help you engage and educate participants on the importance of marine litter reduction, before and during an event!
Knowledge Base for Guides: A Resource for Field Staff
AECO has recently introduced the Knowledge Base for Guides, a dedicated resource page on our new website, to support guides in their crucial role during expedition cruising. Created in collaboration with research institutions and experts, the various articles and tools provide deeper insights into topics like glaciers, the Aurora Borealis, cultural heritage, polar bears and more. Explore this valuable resource to gain more knowledge and educate visitors!
Training and Development
by Rusty S. Hackle
Leading a Hike: Dynamic Positioning
Expedition hike management skills and development are often overlooked in field staff training and qualification requirements for guides, despite being a critical area of safety next to zodiac operations in terms of fatalities and incidents.
People enter the world of expedition cruise or polar guiding from diverse backgrounds or after a career change. Initially, they may not have extensive professional or personal experience in the outdoors they quickly find themselves responsible for guiding guests on walks or longer hikes. Just as we ensure novice drivers are not placed in unsuitable conditions, we should apply the same careful consideration when selecting hike leaders.
There are many important aspects to consider when it comes to being a hike leader:
- where does a leader need to be in the group while on a hike.
- what are the reasons for position changes.
- how situational awareness and management are used to support these decisions so you have material to critique your performance or protect yourself if something has gone wrong.
Leading a hike to a contemporary professional standard means being constantly vigilant, constantly making decisions, and moving around the group as the situation changes. This movement around the group is called dynamic positioning.
Situational factors that may be constantly evolving include:
- Safety management (high-risk area management, inclement weather conditions)
- Information sharing (sharing information or building your interpretive theme throughout the group)
- Team or morale-building
- An individual’s specific requirements (weaker team members, historic injury management, dropping energy levels etc)
- General socializing (chatting with your group)
- Time management (keeping track of pace as it relates to the hike goals and EL excursion parameters)
The simple answer to the question of where should a lead guide be when leading a hike is simple: wherever you are needed the most. The art of interpreting where you are needed the most is the focus of this article. Interpretation develops with experience and a critical review of each hike lead, what went well and what you would do differently next time.
While we will break down options into three distinct categories, the concept of dynamic positioning is that as a leader you are regularly on the move within the moving group depending on where you are needed the most.
Briefing your guests about how you (and co-guides) will lead from various places ensures they can trust you to support everyone throughout the hike.
Near the Front: Leading with Purpose
Positioning yourself at the front is likely most people’s default and can offer clear advantages. You gain a direct view of the terrain, and conditions and control over the pace, which helps keep the group moving efficiently, but not too fast. This is especially helpful in large groups where the pace can quickly slip into disarray. From this vantage point, you will be the first to spot potential hazards (slippery rocks, exposure to drop-offs, hidden wildlife) and make decisions quickly to keep the group safe. It is the leader’s responsibility to constantly take a look behind to ensure the group is not splitting up.
If leading from the front is your ‘go-to’ spot or you have never tried dynamic positioning, you might miss signs that some of your hikers are struggling. This is where flexibility comes into play—while the front can be a strong position for leading the group, it’s also important to stay aware of the group behind you.
If you have a co-guide, a balanced approach where you take the rear or a slightly behind-the-lead position can create a more adaptable dynamic.
In the Middle: The Heart of the Group
For many polar hikes, especially those with larger or less experienced groups, the middle can be a great position to spend some time. Here, you can see both the front and back of the group, ensuring that no one is left behind and that everyone is progressing safely. This positioning also allows for better communication, helping to relay information to both the front and rear about upcoming obstacles, breaks, or changes in terrain.
The middle position is particularly useful when visibility might be limited. It provides a balance between control and oversight, making it easier to address individual needs as they arise.
At the Rear: Supporting Stragglers and Monitoring the Group
There are occasions when staying at the back of the group is essential. If some hikers are struggling, injured, or moving more slowly, positioning yourself at the rear ensures they get the support they need without disrupting the flow of the rest of the group. This is especially important in large groups where it’s easy for individuals to fall behind or feel isolated. Leading from the rear can be beneficial on the return of an out-and-back hike, when guests know the route and the leader can stay with those struggling the most.
Being at the back means you have limited visibility of what’s ahead, so it’s crucial to have someone else at the front ensuring that the pace remains steady and that the trail is navigated safely – this can be a great role for your co-guide or a strong guest hiker.
Dynamic Positioning: Flexibility is Key
Ultimately the best position as stated in the introduction is ‘wherever you are needed most’ and professional hike guides will adapt seamlessly to the changing situations as they arise.
Guano Happens
Vessel and Zodiac Transitions
This incident took place recently in January 2025 and is a critical incident to share. We are grateful to the guides and company involved for allowing this to be shared as soon as possible.
Our industry wholeheartedly supports increasing standards for guides in field operations. There isn’t a person or company who doesn’t want safety and good safety skills and habits to be a legacy of polar tourism. Despite this, some operations still require us to work with crews or other operators where we don’t always have the opportunity to prepare for nonstandard operating conditions.
The transition from the ship to water or vice versa is an operation that defines polar expeditions and expedition cruises. It is a critical transition with many moving parts and several individuals involved. There is plenty of potential for things to go wrong, as this edition of Guano Happens shows.
Narrative
We returned to the vessel after zodiac cruising near Penguin Island. The wind and sea state had picked up considerably while we were unloading guests and beginning to lift zodiacs onboard.
I had unloaded guests from my zodiac on the (lee) starboard side, but my zodiac was lifted on the (windward) port side. Conditions were difficult, and the EL instructed drivers to pair up to get the zodiacs onto the crane hook. I jumped in with another driver to help get things ready for the run to the hook.
During this time, a radio transmission (VHF) from the Bridge advised incoming zodiacs on the starboard side to ‘hold off the marina deck’ while the ship maneuvered to improve its position relative to the worsening wind and sea state. The driver and I missed the call as we were busy setting up on the port side, and it was noisy in the wind and waves.
The previous radio call from the Bridge mentioning the marina deck was ambiguous to the crane operator because the hook was lowered on our side. The driver assumed all was well and took us to the hook, and I got us attached easily enough. Neither of us realized the ship was maneuvering.
The support zodiac moved in to pick us up. We got into position to transfer to it when the crane operator yelled down for us to lift the engine. At this stage, the attached zodiac was side on to wind and sea with added ‘current’ now apparent from the movement of the ship. I worked my way back to the engine around the lifting straps. The support zodiac couldn’t hold position while I wrestled with the engine lift, so it moved off until we were ready again. Once the engine was up, the crane operator yelled again, instructing us to release the zodiac from the hook. At this point, the zodiac was under tension from the crane and side onto wind, sea, and current. I yelled up to the crane operator to let them know there was too much tension on the hook. They responded by lowering more cable.
The zodiac now drifted further backward while remaining side on to the wind, waves and current and still had too much tension on the cable for me to unhook. I shouted to the crane operator to stop lowering because water was now coming over the side of the zodiac and capsize was imminent. I shouted to the driver, who was at the bow, to jump. We both jumped into the water just as the zodiac flipped. The AEL who was standing off watching immediately called MOB on the radio.
I was wearing an inflatable life jacket which deployed immediately and the driver was wearing a pfd. We were in the water less than 60secs before the support zodiac was positioned for the rescue. I had to be retrieved facing outwards as the inflatable jacket was very difficult to lift over the pontoon with me facing inwards. The driver in a pfd was easily retrieved.
As soon as the zodiacs were on board and everything ship shape we met with the Captain, Safety Officer and the rest of the team to discuss the incident.
Review and Lessons
As mentioned, the team met with other key personnel once back on board. The Captain apologized, took responsibility for what happened, and acknowledged the communication breakdown between the Bridge and the crane operations team as being a key causal factor in the incident. The Bridge did not know there was a zodiac on the hook until the MOB went out on the radio. The radio call to ‘hold off the marina deck’ wasn’t specific to the crane and appears to have been misunderstood.
They also discussed the issue of drivers not hearing the Bridge transmission and it being misunderstood anyway.
In addition, the AEL shared that they had noticed a boat approaching the hook while the ship was maneuvering and thought to themselves that the conditions were over the limit for an approach in these conditions. They thought to call the boat and tell them to stand off but didn’t say anything, thinking the driver would assess the conditions as they got closer and decide to stand off. The take away from this for the AEL was that if their situational awareness radar is ‘pinging’ take action rather than second guessing or assuming someone else sees what they see.
After the incident, the Captain introduced a protocol for all drivers to call the Bridge and ask permission to approach the hook.
Important strategies and skills that supported the team to mitigate incidents developing into catastrophe.
- The call to have two staff in boats for the boisterous crane operations.
- Support boats standing by in tricky conditions in case there is an incident.
- Having skilled drivers who could immediately maneuver in tricky conditions and perform a MOB rescue promptly.
- Having a full team review of lessons learned right after the incident.
- Full team MOB refresher training shortly after.
This incident, once again, highlights that MOBs are a common occurrence in this industry and all teams and all drivers should train for it as part of regular routine. All drivers should be comfortable with MOB retrieval. Practice. Ask for practice. Do it with real people in the water not just a lifejacket or dummy.
The transition from ship to water, or vice versa, is a critical area where many things can go wrong and people can get hurt. This transition requires careful coordination between operators, clear communication, and trained guides who can react to unexpected situations.
*If you’ve experienced a near miss or incident that could offer valuable lessons to your colleagues, please get in touch. Rest assured, all events and individuals will remain anonymous and your contribution could help prevent future accidents. While Guano Happens has a strong following and broad industry support, we still face challenges in sharing incidents because of concerns about exposure and job security. It’s crucial that we work together to break this culture of silence, for the safety and growth of everyone in our field.
Sergei grew up in a small, isolated village far in the north of Russia, beyond the Arctic Circle. He first set foot in Antarctica in 2010. His early days on the seventh continent were spent accompanying and supporting tourist groups and their expeditions into the interior. Sergei played a vital role in managing environmental initiatives and orchestrating complex logistical operations in Antarctica’s deep field. One remarkable feat in his career involved a 1.5-month-long 4×4 expedition, covering over 3,000 kilometers across the icy expanse of Antarctica’s interior. Sergei has also visited the South Pole and the coldest place known to humanity, Vostok Station, where the world record low of -89.2°C (-128.6°F) was recorded. Since 2018, Sergei has been working as a polar guide and head of logistics on expedition ships.
PTGA: Tell us how you got to be where you are working in the polar regions?
Sergei: That’s an easy question to answer! My dad has been working in Antarctica for over 35 years. In 2010, he called me and asked if I’d like to join the team for one season at Novolazarevskaya Runway Camp. Of course, I said yes! From the moment I stepped onto the continent, I fell in love with Antarctica. My first season was very simple work—mainly loading and unloading planes. In the following seasons, I worked as a Base Commander Assistant and took charge of various environmental programs, expeditions, and logistics operations.
PTGA: You have worked on land based expeditions running logistics in the past. Could you share how that work is different from work on expedition ships in the polar regions?
Sergei: First of all—no sea motion! Haha. But in reality, there are many similarities in logistics between ship and land operations. The biggest difference is that, on ships, you must plan much further in advance because you don’t always have the option to bring something on board at the last minute. On land, you also have to manage additional challenges, such as sourcing fresh water, waste management, and handling greywater. And, of course, you can’t escape bad weather like you can on a ship. There were at least two or three times when we experienced full-on storms in the deep field, each lasting a full week.
PTGA: You recently started PTGA assessments after a long career working in the field and on ships. Could you share what the assessment process was like as an experienced guide?
Sergei: I started working on ships in 2018, but it wasn’t until five years later that I decided to pursue PTGA certification. Nico D. introduced me to the opportunity and explained how valuable it could be. I had a few different assessors, and the entire process was incredibly constructive and useful. As they say, “You don’t know what you don’t know.” It was a great experience to expand my knowledge and skills.
PTGA: What lessons have you found important to pass on to new guides working alongside you?
Sergei: Respect and care for each other in the team. When you work with a team that truly respects and supports one another, you can get through any tough situation—whether it’s bad weather or equipment failure. Teamwork is everything.
PTGA: What do you see as the biggest challenges to the polar tourism industry over the next five years?
Sergei: Tourism in Antarctica is growing rapidly. The biggest challenge will be finding the right balance—allowing people to experience this beautiful continent while minimizing our impact. Responsible tourism will be key.
PTGA: What advice would you give your younger self about a career in this industry?
Sergei: I’d say: “Do your PTGA assessment early, my friend!”
PTGA: What are your career goals in the industry?
Sergei: Right now, I’m focused on working towards an Expedition Leader position. No doubt, it will be the most challenging step in my career. We’ll see how it goes!
PTGA: What is your favorite place in the polar regions and why?
Sergei: In 2011, I was part of an expedition deep inside the continent. We were four drivers with two cars, traveling more than 1,500 km south. At one point, I realized that for 700 km in every direction—there was nothing. No humans, no birds, no viruses—just ice. That was the most powerful moment for me. That place, in the heart of Antarctica, truly captures the spirit of the White Continent.
PTGA: Who is your favorite creature and why?
Sergei: No doubt—the Arctic Tern. This small, beautiful bird migrates from the Arctic to Antarctica and back, covering an average of 70,000 km per year. That’s an incredible journey for such a small bird, no?
PTGA: Who is your favourite polar explorer and why?
Sergei: Rather than naming a famous polar explorer, I have to say my father, Oleg Sakharov. He was the one who introduced me to Antarctica. He served as the Base Commander of Russia’s Bellingshausen Station for over 10 years and then spent another 25 years working in Queen Maud Land with various commercial operations. He is my hero and the person I’ve always looked up to.
PTGA: Thanks so much, Sergei!
PTGA Members – 652
Senior Polar Guides – 277
Polar Guides – 249
Polar Guide (Aspirant) – 56
Provisional and Full Assessors – 60
Senior Assessors – 5
Congratulations to our New Status Guides:
Assessors: Alexandra Hansen, Claudia Holgate, Santiago Arias, Suzie Hanlan
Senior Polar Guides: Dagny Ivarsdottir, Elsa Ross, Federico Perez Campanelli, Juan Jose Apestegui
Polar Guides: Adrian Lohse, Bronwen Waters, Carl Lawrence Macabasco, Elizabeth Carlson, Florentia Torti, Liam Hopkinson, Lisa-Marie Auditore, Magnus Day, Marco Rosso, Nicolas Chiarelli, Teal Morgan
Polar Guide (Aspirant): Katia Benini, Daniel Haley, Heryka Ribeiro de Oliveira
