MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Almirante Irizar sets off for Antarctic 2006/07 season

Argentina's Defense Minister Nilda Garré symbolically gave departure orders for the Navy's icebreaker “Almirante Irizar” which next week sails south to begin the 2006/07 summer Antarctic season.

During the Thursday ceremony on the deck of the icebreaker with all her colors flying in the port of Buenos Aires, Minister Garré underlined that Antarctic missions, scientific and military, are an Argentine "sate policy", and an excellent opportunity for "research and cooperation activities with other countries".

Antarctica is not only made up of scientists and military personnel who share duties and responsibilities, "but also of men and women of different languages and culture willing to cooperate in a task for the benefit of all humanity", said the Minister.

Also present at the ceremony was Argentine Armed Forces Joint Chief of Staff Brigadier General Jorge Chevalier, the commander of the Antarctic summer expedition Captain Antonio Losada and other high ranking officers from the three services.

"Almirante Irizar" is scheduled to leave for Antarctica next Tuesday dawn and will be involved in logistic support for the Argentine bases and stations, Esperanza, Jubnay, San Martin, Primavera, Orcadas, Camara, Petrel, Decepción, Melchior, Brown, Marambio and Matienzo.

The icebreaker built in Finland in 1978 was incorporated to the Argentine Navy in 1978 and can sail steadily in one meter thick ice plus crack its way through a five meter ice shelf.

She carries a crew of 135 plus pilots and support personnel for a helicopter and has accommodation for 45 scientists or guests.