ARCO Alumni

ARCO Alumnus Brian McDevitt has been given the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Antarctica on the Robert Swan Expedition. Employed by Vitol he hopes to raise awareness that the Protocol on Environment Protection to the Antarctic Treaty could be modified or amended.

Brian writes:
"Many of you have not heard from me for a long time – but don’t worry I’m not looking for any money. Just looking to raise some awareness (and gloat a little).  If you want to follow our progress and you can read our blogs on the expedition website (from the 5 March) at http://expedition.2041.com/"

I have been lucky enough to be selected to represent my company, Vitol, on the Robert Swan 2041 expedition to Antarctica, from 5 -18 March. This is obviously an opportunity of a life time and a personal ambition, so I am delighted. As far back as my student days I have wanted to visit the region and in a moment of weakness a while back, I almost applied for the British Antarctic survey. Fortunately common sense prevailed; the thought of living in the same underwear for 2 years and only emperor penguins for drinking buddies was too much, even for a Scot. The 70 miles/hour winds, total darkness in the winter months and -50o C temperatures did not come into it – that part was just like Scotland really.