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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Environment
Will Whatley

I’m obsessed with icebreaking: I was trained not to hit anything – now I drive my ship into ice 24/7

Antarctic
Portrait of Will Whatley wearing captain's uniform at a ship's controls, while a female colleague looks out of the window with binoculars
‘It’s an immensely satisfying job’: Captain Will Whatley onboard RRS Sir David Attenborough in Antarctica. Photograph: Pete Bucktrout/The Guardian

I have been working for the British Antarctic Survey since I was 19. I started icebreaking on my first trip to the Antarctic and got hooked. Now I am the captain of the royal research ship Sir David Attenborough and I find icebreaking addictive.

It’s unique in a maritime career to have the ability, even as a junior officer, to do quite intricate ship handling and manoeuvring at all stages. Ships break the ice continually, 24/7 – so the whole bridge team gets to do it.

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