Having completed the replenishment of the last bases in the White Continent, the Argentine Navy icebreaker ARA Almirante Irízar returned to the city of Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, bringing an end to its participation in the 2023-2024 Summer Antarctic Campaign. These activities were part of the final stage of the campaign, during which the withdrawal of scientific personnel from Antarctica, as well as waste for subsequent treatment, was also concluded.
As reported by the Argentine Navy yesterday, April 25th, it confirmed that the icebreaker concluded the replenishment of the Joint Antarctic Bases Esperanza, Petrel, and the Carlini Scientific Antarctic Base. These tasks were not without challenges characteristic of this time of year, requiring schedule readjustments and taking advantage of the most advantageous weather windows to expedite supply to the bases.
Each of the Antarctic Bases that the ARA Almirante Irízar replenished had its own challenges, compounded by climatic factors and the particular characteristics of each area. For example, “At the Joint Antarctic Base Petrel, located on Dundee Island, it had to anchor far from the coast due to the presence of a large amount of ice, which made it impossible to use EDPV boats for material disembarkation. The Sea King helicopters, from the Embarked Naval Aviation Group, played a crucial role in transporting the tubular fuel depots known as ‘rollings’, facilitating the supply of provisions and materials necessary for overwintering,” expressed the Navy.
Continuing its itinerary, the last base to be replenished was the Carlini Scientific Antarctic Base, “with dry and frozen provisions, construction materials, and general cargo, prior to the onset of the anticipated winter in the Antarctic continent.”
Having completed the vital support to the Argentine Antarctic Bases, the icebreaker’s crew set course for the city of Ushuaia, where it recently arrived. As officially reported, activities at the port are now focused on unloading Antarctic waste, as well as preparing the Navy unit for its upcoming return to the city of Buenos Aires with the satisfaction of a job well done, officially concluding the 2023-2024 Summer Antarctic Campaign.
Lastly, prior to its journey to Buenos Aires, the ARA “Almirante Irízar” icebreaker will participate in the Open House event that the Argentine Navy will hold in Ushuaia on April 26th and 27th. This way, the Navy will share with the southern city the presence of the Irízar in the white continent, following the conclusion of the third stage of the CAV.
*Photographs from the Argentine Navy.
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