The icebreaker Noosfera, the flagship of the Ukrainian polar research fleet, has already reached the Vernadsky Research Base (the Ukrainian Antarctic station).
The National Antarctic Scientific Center announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.
The Noosfera arrived at the Vernadsky Research Base late on 11 December 2023, Kyiv time.
The vessel reached the Antarctic station a little earlier than planned because it was unloaded at its previous location—the Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station on King George Island—in a record three days.
"It was a slow journey from King George Island, where the Polish station is located, to Galindez Island, where the Ukrainian base is located. Our sailors have never seen so many different icebergs, all of which they had to skillfully avoid," the statement said.
The Noosfera was lucky with the weather when it arrived at the Vernadsky Research Base, so it was possible to quickly transfer the members of the Ukrainian seasonal expedition to the shore.
"It is necessary to unload the vessel soon and begin repairs and other work. The seasonal expedition’s technical team will continue the modernization of the station, which began before the full-scale war, and the seasonal scientific team will conduct additional research," the statement said.
After unloading, the Noosfera will transport the Polish polar researchers, who are currently on board the icebreaker, to Chile.
This is the third consecutive year that the Ukrainian icebreaker—instead of a Russian icebreaker—is facilitating the change of shift at the Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station.
Therefore, the icebreaker Noosfera will be waiting in Chile for another seasonal team of scientists, who will conduct research from the ship, and a new team of Ukrainian winterers to be transported to the Vernadsky Research Base.
