MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine fisheries coastal research vessel, “Mar Argentino” launched in Galicia

BIP “Mar Argentino” is 36 meters long, 8.5 meters beam, special for coastal research, diesel-electric powered, low sound and a retractile keel

The Argentine coastal fisheries research vessel BIP “Mar Argentino” (Argentine Sea), was launched this week in Vigo, Spain and should be ready to sail and operate by next March. She will join the renovated fleet of research vessels from the country's Fisheries Research and Development Institute, INIDEP, in Mar del Plata.

Present at the ceremony were Argentine ambassador in Spain, Ramón Puerta; Argentine consul in Vigo, Silvina Montenegro; Argentine Fisheries Under Secretary Juan Bosch; INIDEP's director Hector Marcelo Lobbosco, members of Argentina's Federal Fisheries Council and representatives from the Vigo Armon shipyard.

The total investment for the construction of the vessel has been estimated in US$ 7 million, with most funds provided by the Inter American Development Bank. Once the shipyard finishes with the decks and other technological devices, “Mar Argentino” will undergo sea trials and should be ready for the long journey to the South Atlantic next March.

BIP “Mar Argentino” is 36 meters long, 8.5 meters beam, special for coastal research, diesel-electric powered, low sound and a retractile keel

She is capable of multipurpose research with a sample plant on the main deck, cranes for trawling at mid and deep water, plus cranes to lower ocean research equipment and to pick plankton samples.