In late 2021, Custom Covers was approached by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) with a request to design and manufacture a weather protection system for an ice drill rig. Drawing on our extensive expertise in tenting and fabric solutions, we were tasked with developing a cost-effective and practical design tailored to the project’s unique specifications.

Our team created a bespoke prototype, engineered to be lightweight and easily demountable for transportation via Twin Otter aircraft and for towing on a skid behind a snowcat.

Image: Custom Covers initial renders of final proposal to BAS, incorporating their design of ice drill assembly.

The weatherproof cover was crafted from a highly flexible woven fabric, tested to withstand extreme cold conditions, with a cold crack rating below -40°C, ensuring durability in the harsh Antarctic climate. One of BAS’s key requirements was rapid assembly and disassembly, enabling multiple drill holes to be completed in a single day. The design was optimized to utilise the drill rig’s frame for stability, ensuring a straightforward deployment process.

Delivered in February 2022, the prototype has undergone testing in Greenland over two summer seasons. The ultimate goal is for this system to be deployed on the Antarctic Ice Shelf following the successful completion of its testing phase.

Image: Photo taken of the weather protection system in use on Greenland.