The ship "Hesperides" closes the Spanish Antarctic base "Juan Carlos I"

During the closure of the Spanish Antarctic base, the ship has embarked a total of 10 tons of material

The oceanographic research ship "Hesperides" has completed the closing operations of the Spanish Antarctic Base (BAE) "Juan Carlos I" on Livingston Island, thus fulfilling its last task on the White Continent. During three intense working days with very unfavourable weather conditions in the Southern Autumn, different materials have been embarked: equipment and scientific samples, as well as food and spare material from the works of modernization of the base. In addition, fuel has been provided to leave the base ready for the next Campaign. The technicians of the Marine Technology Unit (UTM) and the staff who have worked in the modernization of the base in recent months have also embarked.

With the ship in the vicinity of the base, the closing operations have been carried out through the ships owned by the "Hesperides," and the very active participation of all the ship's endowment, adapting in an exemplary way to the extreme temperatures, strong winds and bad sea of this time of year in Antarctica. During the closure of the BAE, the vessel has embarked a total of 10 tons of material, which have been distributed between the aft and bow wineries and the two containers stowed on the flight deck and on the ship's tow.

"Juan Carlos I" has been the last temporary base of the area that has been closed, due to the completion of the modernization work that has been carried out throughout the Campaign, currently, at this time of year only the permanent bases remain open. Finally, in the last hour of the afternoon and after an intense 72 hours, the "Hesperides" set out to the east of the island of Livingston, where he spent a whole day to the socaire of the poniente season, waiting for an improvement in the weather conditions in the Sea of Hozes to emphasize in the port of Ushuaia, where at this time he rests his endowment.