MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Breaking News from FIBS.

FIBS Mast Soon up to Full Power

The Falkland Islands Broadcasting Station should soon be transmitting on full power on medium wave again at an estimated cost of more than £30,000 to the Ministry of Defence. Two sections of mast have arrived on board the Tamar to replace those damaged by a Tornado F3 strike in early August last year. After the incident, which involved a lucky escape for the aircraft crew, a temporary solution was put in place to allow the transmitter to broadcast on reduced power. Riggers, from the company who built the antenna are expected to arrive on the Lan Chile flight on 20 January to carry out the repair work. The two sections will be pulled up to the top of the mast using a hoist, and will be put into place using a series of pulleys attached to a landrover. When running on full power, the FIBS medium wave frequency, 530 was received as far North as Brazil.

Piper Planned to Leave Today

The Piper Aerostar, which arrived in the Falklands from Chile on Wednesday is scheduled to leave the Islands today. The aircraft, piloted by 49 year old Martin Rappallini, was the first Argentine registered aircraft to land at Stanley Airport since the Falklands war in 1982. During its time here the craft has been kept in the hangar and has not visited any other parts of the Falklands. Mr Rappallini was accompanied on the trip by his two daughters aged 20 and 22.

Cessna Arrives on Thursday

Another aircraft to arrive in the Falklands this week was a British registered Cessna, which had been flown from Argentina. Piloted by Andy Hopper and carrying three UK citizens, the craft visited Sea Lion Island this morning and is now en-route to Saunders Island. The Cessna and crew are due to leave the Falklands tomorrow and will return to Argentina.

JCR in Stanley

The British Antarctic Survey vessel, the James Clarke Ross arrived in Stanley this morning for a visit lasting about a week. The JCR will undergo a crew change and also new scientific teams will go onboard. When she leaves Stanley she is due to head to the South Orkneys in the Antarctic region.