Base stocks up on condoms
ONE of the last shipments to a US research base in Antarctica before the onset of winter darkness was a year's supply of condoms – 16,500 for 125 staff.
Bill Henriksen, the manager of the McMurdo base station, told a New Zealand newspaper that the condoms were delivered last month and would be made available, free of charge, to staff throughout the year to avoid the potential embarrassment of having to buy them.
The base has only a skeleton staff in the long winter. "Since everybody knows everyone, it becomes a little bit uncomfortable," said Mr Henriksen.
About 125 scientists and staff are stationed at McMurdo base, the largest community in Antarctica, during the winter months of constant darkness.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Scottish independence: I don’t want ‘separatism’ says Sir Tom Farmer
- Jim McColl may back Scottish independence if third option omitted
- The Rumour Mill: Monday’s football news and gossip
- Rangers takeover: CVA bid ‘on track’ as date is set for 14 June
- Craig Levein insists Scotland will recover from US thrashing
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
