Mystery as man's security card is discovered under Antarctica iceberg 13 years after going missing

24 April 2024, 13:18 | Updated: 24 April 2024, 18:30

David McCaw with his returned ID card.
David McCaw with his returned ID card. Picture: NIWA

By Emma Soteriou

A senior music producer has been reunited with his ID card 21 years after losing it - with it having clocked thousands of kilometres during its mysterious disappearance.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

David McCaw said he was "flabbergasted" by the "bizarre" find after years of unanswered questions.

In 2003, Mr McCaw had his briefcase stolen after his car was broken into. He lost all of the contents - including the ID card.

But 13 years later, it was discovered under an iceberg in Antarctica by National Institute of Water and Atmospheric research (NIWA) technician Rod Budd.

The card managed to make its way from Wellington Harbour to Cape Evans, some 4,000km, which would take thousands of years to be carried on its own by ocean currents.

Read more: Spooked Household Cavalry horses bolt through traffic in central London injuring five people in three locations

Read more: Serbian assassin ‘looks like man seen running near Jill Dando’s home on the day of Crimewatch presenter's murder’

Scientific diver Rod Budd in Antarctica
Scientific diver Rod Budd in Antarctica. Picture: NIWA

“David wasn’t on the expedition with us, so I presumed he’d been down in Antarctica that season and dropped the card at some point," Mr Budd told NIWA.

"I made a mental note to return it to him once I got back to New Zealand.  

"Years later, after several failed attempts to source an email or phone number for David, I told the NIWA comms team about it because I thought it’d made an interesting internal story. Well, I didn’t expect what was coming next."

Communications Manager Sarah Fraser was able to track down Mr McCaw's email through her contacts and got in touch with him.

"I’m absolutely staggered to see that access card again!" he said.

"I’m not sure I can give you a plausible explanation right now… in 2003, my car was broken in to and my work briefcase stolen while it was parked over the road from the Michael Fowler Centre.

"The contents of the briefcase were discarded including the security access card I kept in the bag.

"A few days later the briefcase was handed in to Wellington Police Station, apparently retrieved by someone from Wellington Harbour. I collected the briefcase, mostly empty, except for a quantity of seawater and some soggy documents!"

Sarah Fraser gave David McCaw his security card back
Sarah Fraser gave David McCaw his security card back. Picture: NIWA

NIWA’s Dr Craig Stevens said it is unlikely that the card would have reached Antarctica on its own.

"I find it difficult to imagine how it could have got there of its own accord AND turn up in one of the few locations around Antarctica where people regularly go," he said.

"There is nothing in the ocean currents that plots a direct line from Wellington to Cape Evans. 

"A scenario where it could happen involves the card leaving Wellington Harbour, entering the Western Boundary Current towards the North Pacific, moving past Samoa.

"If the card then (somehow) became more buoyant, it would work its way to the surface by wind mixing and other processes, go through Indonesia, cross the Antarctic Circumpolar Current – the world’s largest – and land in Cape Evans.

"But this would take 1,000 years."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos