This remote island is one of the three Norwegian territories in the Antarctic. It was discovered in 1821 by Fabian Bellingshausen who was in command of a Russian far southern circumnavigation. It was named after the Russian czar, Piotr I, who established the Russian navy in the 17th century. The Norwegians had hoped to use the island as a whaling station, but it was found to be of no use because its coastline is precipitous and few landing places exist.

A weather station was established here in 2006, but has not reported weather for some time. Very few people have ever been on this island, and we hoped to become part of the that short list.

On November 22, 2008 we attempted to land on Peter I Oy. We spent several days heading through heavy and continuous ice to get there. On the approach we encountered many large and beautiful icebergs in the otherwise ice-free ocean. The sky was clear and not too cold (+25 F, -4 C). But the wind was at least 25 kts and possibly 40 kts. Our expedition leader did launch a zodiac and tested the conditions. The wind was strong and the swell was up and down at about 2 m (6 ft) which would have compromised our safety as we need to use a stairway off the side of the ship to board the zodiacs. Falling into the very cold, rough ocean is quite dangerous. So we enjoyed the beauty about  1.2 miles (2 km) away from the safety of the ship. 

Here we see Jonas testing the conditions.....

.... and now lifted back to the ship.

Snow breaks off the glacier above and crashes ino the ocean below.

Our resident artist, David McEown is doing a water-color painting.

After several hours of viewing and photography we turn south and depart.

On our departure we could see the whole island - as an island.

Our zodiacs  did not get used today and remain coated with ice and snow.