The icebreaker “Noosfera” delivered polar explorers from the Chilean port to the “Vernadskyi”

The entire journey from the Chilean port of Punta Arenas to the Akademik Vernadskyi station on Galindez Island took three and a half days.

This was reported by the National Antarctic Research Center.

On Tuesday, March 3, the team of the 31st Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition arrived on Galindez Island, where the station is located. It is to replace colleagues from the 30th UAE, who have been conducting research and operating the base for a year.

“This time, our icebreaker “Noosfera” delivered the polar explorers very quickly: the entire journey from the Chilean port of Punta Arenas to Vernadsky took three and a half days. This was facilitated by both the extensive experience of the ship’s captain, Pavel Panasyuk, who is in his fifth Antarctic season, and good weather,” the scientists said.

The expedition members noted that they passed the Drake Passage “too calmly”.

It should be noted that the unloading of the icebreaker will continue in the coming days. The polar explorers are to transport 50 tons of cargo to the shore, necessary for the next year of wintering. Since the bottom relief of the “Noosfera” cannot approach the station’s berths, all this will be transported by motor boats.

Earlier, USM reported that the government continued funding the operation of the Vernadsky station and the icebreaker “Noosfera”.