From: Kevin Arrigo, Stanford University

“Why do we do the things we do?” 

It’s a question that’s been around since the beginning of time and for which there certainly is no general answer. I have found, however, that even actions that don’t seem to make sense on their face probably serve some useful purpose. Or at least they did at one time.

The last three days on the USCG Healy have been a veritable frenzy of activity. Sure we have been doing the usual station sampling, but now, something different has been thrown into the mix. You see, a few weeks back, in the early stages of ICESCAPE’s foray into the Arctic, we crossed the Arctic Circle. For many of us, this was our first crossing and somewhere deep in out guts, we knew that it was an important milestone.  But how to mark such an auspicious event?

Not surprisingly, the Polar Bears had the answer. No, not those poor endangered beasts struggling to find enough sea ice on which to scrounge a living. In this case, “Polar Bear” is the name given to those onboard ship who’s crossing of the Arctic Circle has already been appropriately recognized. They have been “initiated.” And as Polar Bears, it is up to them to see that the rest of us, the “Blue Noses,” properly celebrate our own crossing into Arctic waters. That we too get “initiated.”

Now, it turns out that the reason a few weeks has passed since our crossing is that this “initiation” ceremony takes some planning (as chief scientist, I knew when the event was likely to take place, but as a fellow Blue Nose, I was not privy to any of the details).  Another reason for the delay is that it builds tension. Every Blue Nose on the Healy has been hearing rumblings about a possible “initiation” for weeks. Rumors were flying like bats in a cave. As the Fourth of July holiday neared, the tension built to a fever pitch as many assumed this would be the most likely time for the “initiation.” Emotions ranged from terror to pure excitement. And although a few opted not to be “initiated,” the vast majority of Blue Noses welcomed the opportunity. 

“Bring it on, Polar Bears!”

And bring it on, they did. For parts of the last three days. Unfortunately, the laws of the sea prohibit me from divulging any details. Suffice it to say, the Polar Bears went to extraordinary lengths to make our initiation a memorable one. Planning and executing a three-day extravaganza for some 40-plus Blue Noses could not have been an easy task.  But the Polar Bears, especially the “Coasties” as we call them, really pulled it off in spades. It was one impressive event that at different times induced a sense of trepidation, confusion, unbridled joy, boredom, a little bit of disgust, and overwhelming accomplishment among the Blue Noses.  It’s something we will all remember for the rest of our lives.

Now, you may be asking yourself a question similar to that posed earlier, “Why go to all that trouble?” The cynical among us might say that it is simply a chance for Polar Bears to inflict on someone else what they had to endure themselves. I’m not naïve enough to believe that there isn’t a bit of truth to this, at least with some Polar Bears.  However, if that motivation played any role in our initiation, it was very small. Infinitesimal, in fact.

I think the “initiation” persists because it brings people closer together, a goal that’s particularly important for people living and working within the close confines of a ship.  Sharing a common set of challenges under highly charged circumstances levels the playing field. It forces you to work with people you might not otherwise work with in ways you might not otherwise work. Everyone is vulnerable, everyone is equal, and everyone is trying to achieve the same goal. From such experiences, stronger bonds can be forged and a better team is built. And that makes it worth all the effort.

Job well done Polar Bears!

Now, I can’t wait until next year when I’m a Polar Bear. Blue Noses— BEWARE!

Davey Jones made multiple appearances during Arctic Circle crossing initiation. (Photo by Jim Swift)