After participating in the XXVI Combined Antarctic Naval Patrol, the ARA “Estrecho de San Carlos” A-22 arrived at the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base after five months of deployment. The ship and crew were welcomed by authorities of the Argentine Navy, as well as by family and friends.
According to Gaceta Marinera, the ARA “Estrecho de San Carlos” set sail on November 8, 2023, under the command of Corvette Captain Arnaldo Gabriel Ozuna, arriving at Puerto Belgrano under the command of Corvette Captain Sergio Daniel Baiocco, who assumed the position on February 28.
The first stage of the XXVI Combined Antarctic Naval Patrol began on November 15, 2025, during which the ARA “Estrecho de San Carlos” carried out resupply and support tasks at the Carlini Joint Antarctic Base.
The Argentine Navy ship also provided support to the Chilean Antarctic base Presidente Eduardo Frei for the transfer of scientific personnel and expedition material to the Pedro Vicente Maldonado Base, a research center operated by Ecuador. Members of the Uruguayan Antarctic Scientific Base Artigas were also transported to the Esperanza Joint Antarctic Base.
During the initial phase of the Combined Antarctic Naval Patrol, the ARA “Estrecho de San Carlos” had a crew of 42 sailors, “…together with crew members from the Naval Hydrography Service, Health, Services, Meteorology, and Rescue Divers as additional crew, in order to reinforce the unit’s services and provide greater security for on-board activities…,” as detailed by the Argentine Navy.
The mission of the Argentine and Chilean ships that make up the PANC is “…to provide a service of search, rescue, maritime salvage, control, and combat of pollution, with the purpose of ensuring navigation safety, human life at sea, and contributing to keeping the waters free of pollution, south of the 60th parallel S, in compliance with the Antarctic Treaty…”. The schedule is divided into four stages, either as an Antarctic Service Vessel or as an Antarctic Support Vessel.
Cover Images: Gaceta Marinera
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