MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South America Breaking News

Bremen under repairs in Buenos Aires

Bahamas flagged vessel "Bremen" is currently in Buenos Aires undergoing repairs after suffering severe damage in the bridge during a South Atlantic-Antarctic cruise.

"Bremen" with 146 passengers and a crew of 96 left last February 10th. from Ushuaia with an itinerary that included the Antarctic and South Georgia, before heading back for Rio do Janeiro.

Although "Bremen" was never in real danger, a gigantic wave during a storm left the bridge without windows and unable to use the automatic control of the vessel. According to the Argentine press, once in the "Mar Argentino" and with the logistic support of the Argentine Coast Guard Service, the 115 meters long "Bremen" headed for Buenos Aires under manual steering.

German captain Heinz Aye and Argentine naval officials feared that the cruise vessel might have lost much of its maneuverability capacity as a result of the storm. Just in case before actually entering the access channel the hull was inspected and with the help of two tugs "Bremen" finally docked.

Foot and mouth vaccination

Beginning this week eleven million head of cattle will be vaccinated in Argentina against foot and mouth disease in an attempt to reinforce measures against any further outbreaks as happened last August.

However, United States and Canada have confirmed they will keep their markets open to Argentine boneless fresh beef. Argentine officials underlined that the quick reaction prevented Nafta members (United States, Canada and Mexico) from closing their markets to Argentine beef. Nafta represents 25% of Argentine exports.

"The American authorities decision confirms that the Argentine sanitary condition is under control and does not affect beef exports", indicated this week in Buenos Aires, Argentina's Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr. Antonio Berhongaray.

According to Mr. Eduardo Greco, vicepresident of the Argentine Agro-Food Sanitary Service, SENASA, and currently in Washington explaining the plan to US sanitary officials, "vaccination will concentrate in the northern border areas of the country and in the Buenos Aires, Santa Fé, Córdoba and La Pampa provinces, where most of the cattle is fat