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Argentina’s Icebreaker Irízar Returns to Buenos Aires, Ending 122nd Antarctic Campaign

The mission sustained seven year-round bases to strengthen Argentina’s long-term Antarctic presence.

Overview

  • The ARA Almirante Irízar returned to the Buenos Aires naval pier after more than four months at sea, where families reunited with the crew.
  • The homecoming capped Argentina’s 122nd Antarctic campaign, matching 122 years of continuous operations on the continent.
  • The ship resupplied seven permanent bases with food, fuel, and construction materials and carried out crew rotations.
  • Researchers on board mapped whale habitats and released ARGO floats that now stream temperature and salinity readings from depths of up to 2,000 meters.
  • The campaign advanced key projects that include a CONAE ground station at Belgrano II, development at Petrel, refurbishment of the Bahía Dorian refuge, and upkeep of navigation beacons.