Wang Chaoyang (right) and Wang Jian on the flight deck of Xuelong 2 before China's 39th Antarctic expedition starts on Oct. 26, 2022.

On October 26, 2022, China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, set off from Shanghai, marking the start of the country's 39th Antarctic expedition. Wang Chaoyao and Wang Jian were on board on behalf of the National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS), one of the major players in China's polar research. It was the first time the two were on an Antarctic expedition.

Braving winds and waves

"My first voyage in the vast deep blue sea to the end of the world, my first go at a seabed topography survey against ice and waves, my first unmanned drone mapping of the uncharted terrain of the charming Antarctic continent … A trip of so many firsts, my maiden polar expedition, China's 39th Antarctic expedition will definitely be a special chapter of my life," Wang Chaoyang wrote in his Antarctic research journal. "Before reaching the Antarctic, Mother Nature threw us a curve ball."

The marine conditions in Antarctic waters are unpredictable, especially in the "Devil's Westerlies," which is notorious for ghastly winds and waves. Though over 120 meters in length, Xuelong 2 was still a small boat bobbing on the turbulent seawater. "Big waves crashed against the bow, and we could even hear the splash from the fifth floor. Everything in room wobbled. The computer monitors fixed on the table also fell to the floor ..." Wang Jian journaled. When Xuelong 2 took shelter from the wind, Wang Chaoyang and Wang Jian were ready to rest. But suddenly, their body began to sway. The first thing that came to their mind was the precision measuring equipment on board. For fear of damage to the equipment, they hurried to the equipment room to get everything fastened, and took protective measures in time. Fortunately, the onslaught of the westerly wind belt did not cause any damage to the equipment. Just when they finally got relieved a bit, seasickness kicked in. Suffering dizziness, fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite, all familiar to experienced sailors, they had to stay in bed to feel better.