MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Argentina’s Antarctica flagship ‘Almirante Irizar’ remains ‘grounded’ in controversy
Six years ago this week Argentina’s icebreaker ‘Almirante Irizar’ and symbol of the country’s presence in Antarctica caught fire and was an almost loss. The government pledged to have the vessel back sailing in a couple of years but now it has surfaced that only 50% of repairs have been completed and the whole enterprise is involved in deep controversy. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesLMAO again.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 07:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0Seriously!!! they cant even keep ships afloat and they want to rule over the falkland islands????
Apr 12th, 2013 - 07:06 am - Link - Report abuse 0and even probably acts of corruption.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 07:36 am - Link - Report abuse 0Shock, horror!!!!!
“ FLAGSHIP ” Wow ????? What next?
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0Its pretty obvious where the money went... and it wasnt on fixing the ship.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:35 am - Link - Report abuse 0Folks like BK will tell us that Occam's Razor shows that corruption is impossible in Argentina.
The state of that ship clearly shows otherwise.
----
“Likewise at the end of December Minister Puricelli rescinded the contract with Swiss ABB arguing the work budget was excessive. However it was also revealed that the ABB budget had to cover initial errors committed when repair works started. Anyhow ABB is considering demanding the Argentine state for breach of contract.”
In other-words: the same sorry state of financial irregularity and inability to pay the bills as Argentina is forcing the rest of the world to believe has become Argentinas “standard operating procedures”.
Corrupt & Bankrupt.
So the icebreaker is/was maintained by a Swiss firm, if Argentina can be bothered to pay them (that'll be a no then). Their corvettes are maintained by a German firm (now that the overdue invoices have been paid). Their frigates are virtually unusable because they won't buy spares for the British-made engines and all of the ammunition for the weapons has passed it's use-by date.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0At least the Almirante Irizar made it as far as a dry dock before it completely fell over...
A snippet from our Insolvency Act. Interestingly, which limb does Argentina currently meet or is close to meeting?
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:58 am - Link - Report abuse 0(i) A person is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due, suspends making payments on any of its debts or, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness.
(ii) The value of the assets of that Person is less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities)
So the easy option with no support ships is to pull out of Antarctica, and leave it to the UK in their own sector. They could always invade once they get a boat, claiming that they always owned it.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 11:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0Argentina is on it's way to Pre Payment for everything. All of the U$ they have stolen and squandered over the last decade will take at least 2 generations to recover. If ever.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 11:29 am - Link - Report abuse 0I think the bag lady of BA may have the same retirement ceremony as Mussolini or Ceaușescu.
So the Swiss do ship repairs? How do they get them there?
Apr 12th, 2013 - 11:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0No wonder it's taking so long.
we offered them to repair it @ ASMAR in Valparaiso, because Argentina does not have the necessary installations to do this @ such a great ship. But the denied... guess that this option went against their pride.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 11:44 am - Link - Report abuse 0Can it do the tilting/roll over trick like their other boat?
Apr 12th, 2013 - 11:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0Actually it has a better one of blowing deep black smoke out of its belly.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 12:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0This is ship is costing them a fortune because the have to hire the Russians to supply their base in Antarctica. Last month they didn't have the $ to pay and the guys on the base sent out an emergency distress call for food and fuel.
Can you imagine!
They don't care anything about people's lives.
I wonder how many Rgs die every year due to corruption and gov't negligence?
we could always send them some experts like the chinook experts or the nimrod experts etc.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 12:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0not really helping am I ?
14 Martin Woodhead
Apr 12th, 2013 - 01:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And who were the experts that caused all the trouble with Nimrod and the Chinooks?
It was the MoD Procurement that screwed those two projects up big time. And they can't tell their arses from their elbows.
Bit like TMBOA and her morons-in-charge.
LMAO at the statement from Putridjelly.
@12
Apr 12th, 2013 - 01:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Well we know what happened to their previous 'Antarctic Flagship', the ARA Bahia Paraiso, the ship that rescued the survivors of the Belgano...
IT SANK
Admittedly the officer in command at the time left the bridge and no-one bothered to check the charts to see that the rocks were prominent (even though they were clearly marked) and that at that particular time of tide, the ship had too deep a draft to pass safely over the rocks.
I suspect that they thought that as the ship was a Ice-breaker, that a rock would break just as easily. Complete imbeciles. They were warned by the Americans at Palmer Station that they were in a shallow area, but the Argentines ignored them.
There's even a video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4feOO5diX4M
Then there's the matter of the insurance claim for the 2 Westland Sea Kings that were supposed to be located in the hangar when it went down. Except the photos show that the hangars were empty...
@11 ManRod
Apr 12th, 2013 - 01:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0100% right. As we know what they are like, I am sure ASMAR would have asked for payment up front.
Imagine a country with 1000s kms of coast requiring the Swiss to fix their boats!
What a disaster!
[At the same time we keep increasing our assets and science projects on Antarctica]
17
Apr 12th, 2013 - 01:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Assmar? Nice name :-)))
@18
Apr 12th, 2013 - 01:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That is about as funny as your ships rolling over and sinking in port.
This country Argentina is the greatest circus show in the world.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 02:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I just love this website. In a way, these Argentinians are the best!
”Happy, Happy, Good Investment Company for sure!!!
HHGIC forever!
@18
Apr 12th, 2013 - 03:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Not so full of yourself now Marcos are you? You giant twat.
@20 Yep, pure comedy gold - it's a shame Peter Sellers isn't still around to turn it into a movie in the style of Inspector Clousseau
Apr 12th, 2013 - 03:12 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Almirante Irizar, is ready to sail. ”Clear the decks, dive! dive! dive!
Apr 12th, 2013 - 03:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 023. HAHAHAHA brilliant!
Apr 12th, 2013 - 04:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 06 years of only repairing fire damages on a medium ship (120m), it's really a shame, Marcos.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 04:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Meanwhile, ASMAR (yes, get yourself some glasses if your state can still afford it) has build several ships not much smaller than that, exporting them to Europe. Iceland's flagship “Thor” (95m) was build by ASMAR for example in the region where we had the 5th biggest earthquake of all times, but we finished work anyway against all odds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdTZjD-R-xI
so what happened to the “big, industrial Argentina” that used to laugh at its smaller neighbours? Can't even accomplish with the most basic standards nowerdays.
If I was Argentina, I wouldn't bother TRYING to finish the repairs. At the present rate, the ship will have rusted down to nothing long before the repairs are complete.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 06:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I'm twistin myself laughin so hard I might accidentally break somethin!
Apr 12th, 2013 - 06:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Come on chaps,
Apr 12th, 2013 - 06:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We should be helpful to her; after all she is broke,
We think the British government should make an offer for the ship,
Bring it to Portsmouth and repair it, , put it in R/N grey paint and send it back to British Antarctica,
Anything to help a friend out,
We bid==one pound..
.
@25
Apr 12th, 2013 - 06:31 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Thanks for that link. Iceland has a very small population, is recovering from the financial disaster, but like some other island countries we know, they build some very good ships.
That patrol vessel looks extremely good.
25 ManRod
Apr 12th, 2013 - 06:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I am a bit of a fan of medium / large shipbuilding and ASMAR have some excellent facilities encompassing all of the manufacture and servicing of seagoing vessels.
Really enjoyed the website. Compare this to the last 'ship' that Argentina constructed / modified of any quality: can anybody guess what that was?
The flagship of the navy, The Libertad.
The rest of their navy has been either second-hand or kit form (from the Brits) and they couldn't assemble that properly, it fell apart.
“Argentine Defence minister Arturo Puricelli has promised that next year the emblematic icebreaker will begin sea trials”
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Sea trials.
That's going up and down the dockside at 5 knots with the RG matelots chucking ice cubes into the water, right?
Another pirate ship off the high seas, more good news.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:14 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Bonus is that this should keep their colonialist aggression in check too, excellent.
Another bit of good news is YPF having to import more than ever, Great!
@25 ManRod
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0According to some of the Argie trolls on here, they want to be poorer and less industrialised because this brings greater happiness...it is all part of the plan.
I think the plan is to have Argentina fall apart, so their neighbours are forced to bail them out. I wonder how much 'solidarity' there will be when it's costing Uruguayans, Brazilians & Chileans billions of dollars.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 09:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Of course the Mad Bitch will have left with her millions/billions in the private plane for her Caribbean hideaway long before this. If not, she'll be hanging from a lamp post, Mussolini style.
34. Actually I think that has been the long range plan of what the USA wants for South America. I think we want Brazil to be dragged down supporting Argentina when it all falls apart and it fits in nicely by censuring them at IMF and blocking the funding at IDB and WB.
Apr 12th, 2013 - 10:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0let's see how much solidarity there is and how arrogant the Rgs are when they are tapped out of U$ and can't buy any more fuel.
It's not too far off now
In 5 -4-3 years time they will blame the sinking of ARA Bahia Paraiso on Margaret Thatcher - it is always somebody else's fault.
Apr 13th, 2013 - 03:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0Of course it was her fault, they were British rocks.
Apr 13th, 2013 - 08:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0On another topic, I see the insurers have a problem with ARA's claim about this vessels complement of 20 Sea King helicopters!
It years to come, the captain will claim that the rocks jumped out in front of him and didn't give him a chance.
Apr 13th, 2013 - 09:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0Either that or he will say that the British rocks 'Usurped' his ship.
Ironic that when the ship visited Palmer Station, they were given a lecture on how oil pollution was damaging the Antarctic ecology, only for the Argentine Navy to damage it even more by sinking their ship in the harbour. For that reason alone, Argentina should be denied any facilities on Antarctica, until they learn not to pollute the environment.
I believe they also ignored advice that there were rocks in the area.
Apr 13th, 2013 - 09:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0I am surprised, ignoring advice, not a trait I would accuse them of, much!
Oh dear ... More money “ diverted ” for Futbol para todos ” , hence this ship has been in dock for over 6 years . Meanwhile , the RG scientists in Antarctica are being fed by the Royal Navy , or they would have literally starved .
Apr 13th, 2013 - 09:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0That never seems to get a mention on Pagina12.
Does anyone think they will have this ship repaired before the launch of HMS Queen Elizabeth?
Apr 13th, 2013 - 10:06 am - Link - Report abuse 041 reality check
Apr 13th, 2013 - 11:14 am - Link - Report abuse 0Why, were you hoping to have sea trials of QE planes against the floating wreck?
LOLs
Even more problems.
Apr 13th, 2013 - 04:51 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.clarin.com/politica/Siguen-demoras-inexplicables-campana-antartica_0_900510082.html
Doesn't look like Queen Elizabeth Land can expect an Argentine visit anytime soon then.
Apr 13th, 2013 - 05:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0They simply cannot do one single thing right, no wonder the rest of South America support Kirchner, the last thing they want is an Argentine presidents with intelligence, that would be scary.
Apparently CFK has not kept up the insurance payments,
Apr 13th, 2013 - 06:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Oh dear..
and who is the lucky person to be blamed we wonder lol.
44 Britworker
Apr 13th, 2013 - 08:07 pm - Link - Report abuse 0“the last thing they want is an Argentine presidents with intelligence, that would be scary”
If they are all like Bow-wow (anybody seen anything of the VP lately-I bet he's sleeping with the fishes in NY) or Timmidman or better still like Putridjelly the laugh-along 'Defence Minister, there will be NOTHING to fear for the forseable future.
I really think that some of these Malvanistas these twats are doing a bang-up job!
LOLs
Argentina makes grandiose claims to territory, but they cannot even look after their mainland, let alone Antarctica or any of the Islands in the South Atlantic.
Apr 13th, 2013 - 08:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It won't be long before Chile, Uruguay & Brazil are forced to take charge of large chunks of Argentina, with Patagonia seeking independence. Let's hope the Amerindians are able to reclaim Patagonia and the territory they lost due to Argentine genocide.
47. As I have said many times, it is only your territory if you can defend it. Argentina could push back an invasion from Paraguay much less Brazil or Chile.
Apr 14th, 2013 - 12:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think Chile should take be staking out the Provinces they want and push all the lazy and corrupt Rgs into BA.
There would be nothing Arg could do about it.
Absolutely nothing
and since it has no International Allies their call would fall on deaf ears.
10 years ago that ship saved a german ship in the in the Antarctic. This was during a terrible financial crisis in Argentina. It was a glorious time for Argentina, being hailed as heroes during a crisis of their own. It is sad to see that can't happen now. It may never happen again.
Apr 14th, 2013 - 04:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/28/weekinreview/the-talk-of-argentina-rescuers-break-the-ice.html
The New York times articles that I'm reminded of are these:
Apr 14th, 2013 - 06:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0http://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/01/world/wreck-of-argentine-vessel-poses-threat-of-oil-spill-off-antarctica.html
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/01/world/wreck-of-argentine-vessel-poses-threat-of-oil-spill-off-antarctica.html
http://www.nytimes.com/1989/02/01/world/wreck-of-argentine-vessel-poses-threat-of-oil-spill-off-antarctica.html
Bob Ballard , who discovered the Titanic has just surveyed the wreck of the Belgrano and has made an amazing discovery . It wasn't sunk by HMS Conqueror after all , it simply sank in heavy seas due to bad maintenance . “ All the clues are there ” said Ballard “ The Santissima Trinidad sank alongside it's jetty , and the Irizar just caught fire too . Blaming the British is a convenient cover up ”
Apr 15th, 2013 - 03:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@38 LMFAO
Apr 15th, 2013 - 09:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@42
“Why, were you hoping to have sea trials of QE planes against the floating wreck?”
Would that be F35's or a Naval historic flight of Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers operating from QE2?
@44
Good point. Let's face it she has been good news for the FIs( even though her actions have been unpleasant), causing a referendum and getting the MLA's to take on their own foreign policy.
Future unemployed Argentines might prefer work to facile' Malvinas' claims when the novelty of those claims wears off as FIG make more trips to the UN and the Falklands become an increasing economic power in the south.
Har har har...Jim Lad....Soo these argies have run aground agin?...Har har har...or as prince charles would say....“Haw haw haw.”I mean cmon guys you gotta laugh at them...!!
Apr 16th, 2013 - 10:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 052 Pete Bog
Apr 17th, 2013 - 04:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0In the argies case I rather fancy the chances of a rubber band powered balsa version of the swordfish would do it.
LOLs
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!