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Base stocks up on condoms

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Published Date: 10 June 2008
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.





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  • Last Updated: 09 June 2008 10:12 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

Southern Belle,

Yeovil 10/06/2008 03:16:28
125 times 365 (a year) equals 45,000+. So, I guess they assume that each will only require a condom every 3 days. But, what is the female population? Hmmm, the article did not say.
2

Michaela,

Canada 10/06/2008 05:38:19
Hmmmm, what exactly are they researching? Could it be how much shrinkage occurs in sub-zero temperatures?
3

Bien E. Bien,

10/06/2008 13:25:45
If the cast of the film "The Thing" is anything to go by, then all of the scientists and support staff at the McMurdo base station will be blokes.

Let's hope that an equal supply of lube was included with the condoms, or things could be more than just "a little bit uncomfortable" for all concerned.
4

A Friend of Fernando Poo,

, Newington 10/06/2008 17:22:20
Taking the chalk from Southern Belle, I calculate thusly:

Take 16500 condoms.

Assume it takes two to tango and so that's enough for 33000 dances.

Divide by 125 people and that gives 264 dances each.

The Sun is below the horizon for 117 days.

So that's twice a night during the week and thrice a night at weekends.

I suppose they do have to keep warm...
5

Biker,

Ayr 10/06/2008 20:26:30
Bet the penguins are worried!!!
6

Horrible Cankers at the Cyber Shebeen,

10/06/2008 20:43:20
3...One of my favourite films by the way...no cràp féckin digital graphics it was so realistic it would scare you'r t*ts off!....animatronics I think..but what a film...what a film..!!

Ach well...I suppose they do get pretty bored oot there...an fill them up wae watter...then launch them at each other....or use them as 'Birthday balloons'...bet they wirnae supplied wae them eh?....nae 'Birthday balloons?'....'Neccessity' being the 'mother' of invention and all that....
7

Horrible Cankers at the Cyber Shebeen,

10/06/2008 20:43:46
They are moderating the word 'cràp' now????

 

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