ICE survey ship HMS Endurance has been basking in the glow… of publicity after hosting a TV crew for three weeks around Antarctica.

A team from BBC South Today – the regional news magazine show which covers the survey vessel’s home town of Portsmouth – joined the Red Plum as she conducted survey work and scientific experiments around Terror and Erebus Gulf, Antarctic Sound and King George Island.

Broadcasting live from the ice is, shall we say, challenging.

First there’s the temperature to contend with (a balmy -4˚C).

Then there’s the bulky immersion suits to wear in the helicopter transporting you to a passing berg for your transmission.

You’ll need one Royal Marine with you at all times, an expert in surviving in the Arctic should things go wrong.

And you’ll also need some emergency supplies just in case the weather sets in and the helicopter can’t return until the following day to pick you up.

And like everyone who visits Antarctica, presenter Sally Taylor was mesmerised by the magnificent desolation of this land – and impressed by the Red Plum.

“Antarctica is the most extraordinary place on earth, a fragile continent which we must preserve for the future, a frozen wilderness unspoilt by man and a place dedicated to peace and science,” she said.

“I can’t think of a more beautiful place that I have been.

“I have so many memories – not just of the stunning landscape, penguins, seals and whales but of the men and women who make up the ship’s company of Endurance. They have all been fantastic, willing to be part of our films and patient with us civilians.

“This is a happy ship which works hard in the South Atlantic.”

The ‘happy ship’s’ marathon deployment is, sadly, drawing to a close now with the austral winter setting in.

The ship has worked closely with the Beeb on this tour of duty (a special Gyron hi-definition camera was fitted to a Lynx helicopter to record stunning images for a forthcoming natural history documentary) as well as performing her usual survey duties for the UK Hydrographic Office and support of the British Antarctic Survey.