MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Modest launching of Argentine Antarctic 07/08 campaign

ARA Suboficial Castillo and Icebreaker “Irizar” on fire

Argentina's Antarctic 2007/08 season had a modest launching on this occasion with two vintage patrol vessels replacing icebreaker Almirante Irizar which suffered a major fire accident last April and is still undergoing repairs.

The two vessels, "Suboficial Castillo" and "Canal de Beagle"symbolically sailed on Sunday from Buenos Aires for Ushuaia and from there to accomplish two main tasks: deliver provisions to Argentine bases and scientific stations in Antarctica and, with a Chilean patrol vessel, jointly monitor the South Seas, as part of a bilateral agreement. However Argentina has also chartered for three months a Russian icebreaker, "Golovnin" which operating from Ushuaia will be doing similar tasks to Almirante Irizar in supplying with fuel and general cargo the most polar of Argentine bases. "Golovnin"is expected in mid January in Ushuaia. Icebreakers from China, "Xuelñong" and Brazil, "Ary Rongel"will also be giving support to the Argentine Antarctic effort as well as contracted Russian air support from South Africa. " is not replacing , it's merely beginning the official Antarctic campaign and it could have been any of the Navy's vessels", said Commodore Enrique Gomez Olivera second in command at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "She will be helping with supplies for the bases and stations of Esperanza, Jubany, San Martin, Primavera, Orcadas, Camara, Petrel, Brown, Melchoir and Matienzo. The Russian contracted icebreaker will be responsible for Marambio as well as many of this season's scientific programs", he added. " Suboficial Castillo" was refurbished and incorporated to the Argentine Navy in 1993. She was built in California in 1944, saw action in the Pacific, Korean and Vietnam conflicts and helped with the US atomic tests in the Pacific. She has a crew capacity of 81 compared to the minimum 125 of the Almirante Irizar. On ending her supply tour " Suboficial Castillo" will be part of the combined Argentine/Chilean Antarctic patrol effort responsible for search and rescue and environment protection duties in Antarctic waters during summer months.