Both the
icebreaker "Irízar" and the "Magdalena
Oldendorff" are awaiting the results of the
reconnaissance flights and the analysis of ice
information with a view to find a new
alternative route to reach open waters. In the
latest hours, the Master and the Chief Engineer
of the "Oldendorff" were received on board the
Navy's icebreaker in order to assess future
courses of action. The German vessel was also
supplied with fuel, lubricants and provisions.
Sunday 28, july
Position:
69º 56' 7" S / 1º 26' 6" W 06:30 (GMT)
According
to Argentine Navy both ships are in the same
position that yesterday waiting for updated
information fromice-scoutting
flights.
Acknowledgment:
to the Argentine Navy for this image
Saturday 27, july
Position: 69º
56' 7" S / 1º 26' 6" W 06:30 (GMT)
After severals
days of navigation crossing a heavy ice field both ships
arrived at a zone protected from the ice field and sea
currents. By means the ice-scoutting flights and the
analysis of ice and meteorological conditions they will
determine alternative routes. Source: Argentine Navy
Friday 26, july
Position: 69º 40´S
/ 3º 56´7" W 07:00 (GMT)
According to the
Argentine Navy the Almirante Irízar followed by The
Magdalena Oldendorff continues her navigation towards a
protected zone from wich, through the reconoissance
flights, they will try to find leads (navigable passage
through floating ice).
The path the
icebreaker has cutted to arrive remains closed by the
influence of wind and ice field movement. On board the
icebreaker the meteorological and ice situation is
evaluating permanently. Also the Almirante Irízar is
receiving the permanent support of the Argentine
National Meteorological Service, National Ice Center (NIC),
the Meteorological and Hydrographic Federal Agency,
Service of Ice (Germany) and the Russian Institute of
the Investigation of the Arctic and Antarctic.
In addition to the
technical and operative evaluation that is made on board
the Operations Central of the Naval Operation Command
(Puerto Belgrano Naval Station) maintains a permanent
liaison with the ship to control, to advise and to
support in their decisions to the operative commander at
sea. Source:Argentine Navy
Thursday 25, july
Position. Long:
69º 41´6" S / 3º 29´4" W
As the result of
observation flights and a favourable change in weather
and ice conditions both ships are forcing a way through
the ice field to reach Muskegbukta Bay.
Wednesday 24, july
The ships are
stopped in their position waiting for more favourable
meteorological and ice conditions. The exploration
flights continue searching cracks in other parts of the
ice to reach open waters. The prognostic indicate a
probable field ice pressure disminution on the ship´s
hulls. If this occurs both ships will manage to reach
young ice zones.
Tuesday 23, july
Pos: 69º 40´S / 2º
46´W, Heading:stopped
Air temp: minus 20
degrees Celsius, ice- Pack: 9/10 tenth, first year,
medium and thick ice with some old ice (2 metres). snow
over ice:50 centimetres
According to the
information provided by the Argentine Navy "the rigorous
ruling meteorological and ice conditions made stop the
march of both ships. Meanwhile, the Irízar has sent his
two Sea King helicopters to continue with the ice-scoutting
flights to search new routes that allow navigation in
convoy ". On the other hand it adds that "the pressure
that exerts the ice fields that surround them make still
more be in danger the result of the operation". A factor
to be consider, according to the experts of the Navy, is
the different maneuverabilities between both ships to
move by Antarctic waters. It is so, according to the
Navy informs, "In the fight against the ice, the ship of
the Navy has capacity and experience to resist the
different adversities that appear which puts it in
advantage with respect to the Oldendorff". Source:
Argentine Navy
Monday 22, July, 07:00 hs.
Position: 69º 41´
11" S / 2º 00´W
The Almirante
Irízar and the Magdalena Oldendorff were sailing
northwards through an ice field of 9/10 tenth (first
year) with 70 cm to 200 cm thick and old ice with cords
(2 metres). The heading varied according to the
navigation possibilities and his speed was 3 knots. The
temperature was minus 19.5 degrees Celsius. The severe
ice conditions forced both ships to move under normal
speed.
Sunday 21, July, 18:00 hs.
The Argentine Navy
said that the icebreaker Almirante Irízar and the
Magdalena Oldendorff were breaking through the ice at a
speed of two knots, or nearly four kilometres an
hour.The Argentine Navy says frecuent snowfalls mean the
icy landscape in ice field with out reference points.
Friday 19, July, 18:30 hs.
The Irízar rescued
the Magdalena Oldendorff and both ships initiate the
march towards safer waters. Argentine Navy estimates
that the maneuver will last between 15 and 20 days.
The Argentine
icebreaker Almirante Irízar released the Magdalena
Oldendorff of the ice field that retained her and will
initiate the march towards safe waters, with the German
ship behind his, without having to tow her, informed the
Argentine Navy. As the Irízar is wider than the
Oldendorff he will go first to open a channel to lead
her until open waters.This is a typical icebreaker duty
but in severe Antarctic conditions.
Before beginning
the first maneuvers, the Irízar attended by means of
cranes the Oldendorff wirh fuel and food.
Source:Argentine Navy
Arrangements for
providing assistance
Thursday 18, July.
The icebreaker remains in the vicinity of the "Magdalena
Oldendorff", waiting for favorable weather conditions to
start the assistance maneuvers. This morning, the
temperature was around 14 degrees below zero and winds
SE blowing at 55 km/h.
Wednesday 17,july10:00
hs (GMT)
Position: 69º
35´5´´ S / 1º 45´3´´ W
The distance
between both ships according with the official
information correspondent at 10:00 hs. (GMT) was 20
nautical miles (37 kilometers). The Irízar was sailing
through an ice field of 10/10 tenth (first year) with 70
cm to 150 cm thick and old ice with cords. The heading
varied according to the navigation possibilities and his
speed was 3 knots. The temperature was minus 20 degrees
Celsius and slight and moderate winds from east sector.Source:
Argentine Navy
Tuesday 16, july07.00
hs. (GMT)
Position : 68º 54´
S / 1º 37´ W /Heading:
varied according to navigation possibilities
With temperatures
down to about minus 35 degrees Celsius, the ice is
already around 2 metres thick, with ridges running as
much as three metres deep. The Oldendorff is still some
60 nautical miles (111 kilometers) away.
Speaking via a satellite telephone, the
Argentine Antarctic Naval Force commander, CN Raúl
Eduardo Benmuyal, said he sent his two Sea King
helicopters on reconnaissance missions to try to find a
route through the ice. There is no virtually dayligh
but the crew spirit is very high.Source:
Argentine Navy
Monday 15, july07:00
hs. (GMT)
Position: 68º
17´2¨ S/ 0º 12´5¨W / Heading: varied according to
navigation possibilities/ wind Vx.: 12 knots / Air temp.:minus
16.0 degrees Celsius/Water Temp.: without data /Sailing
in an ice of 10/10 tenth, without openings,
predominating medium and heavy ice with something of old
ice (generally more than 2 meters thick). The naval
helicopters are exploring the area to observe the
fractures and splits in the ice field. The distance
between both ships is the same that yesterday (100
nautical miles). In the other hand this afternoon it
will be a press conference at the Navy General Staff
(Buenos Aires, 15:00 hs local time).Source: Argentine
Navy
Sunday 14, july07:00
hs. (GMT)
Position: 68º 20´S
/ 2º 1´W / Heading: West : 4 knots / Wind Vx: 5 knots /
Air Temp.:minus 22.2 degrees Celsius / Water Temp.:
minus 5.5 degrees Celsius /Sailing in ice field 10/10.
Thi morning the
distance between both ships was 100 nautical miles (185
kilometers)Source:
Argentine Navy
Saturday 13, july09:00
am (GMT)
Position:67º
18' S/3º
28' E/
Heading: South : 6/10 knots / Wind Vx: 10 knots / Air
Temp. :minus 19 degrees Celsius / Water temp.: minus 5.5
degrees Celsius / Sailing in young ice field 10/10.
The icebreaker Almirante Irízar is
sailing through a young field ice without icebergs at a
speed of 6/10 knots and is using her icebreaker
capabilities to cut a path clear for the Magdalena
Oldendorff. This morning at 09:00 am (GMT) the distance
between both ships was 200 nautical miles (389
kilometers). Due the poor visibilty conditions the
glaciological exploration flights were suspended
yesterday afternoon.Source:
Argentine Navy
Friday 12, july 07:00
am (GMT)
Yesterday the "Almirante Irízar" has
adopted a clear South course in the ice field towards
the "Magdalena Oldendorff". This morning the distance
between both ships was 395 nautical miles (720
Kilometers). At the present time the icebreaker with the
assistance of two Sea King naval helicopters is
developing an exploratory phase aimed to establish the
best aproximation way to the trapped ship.Source:
Argentine Navy
Thursday 11, july
The icebreaker Almirante Irízar is
sailing in proximities of the ice barrier that
separates Magdalena Oldendorff from open water. At this
moment they must evaluate the best route to cut a path
clear into the ice for the other ship.Some factors like
teh ice density, its hardness and the possible
meteorological and glaciological evolution must be
considered.At the same time the low temperature, ice
drift and wind conditions arebeing evaluated to take the
best course.Source:
Argentine Navy
Wednesday 10, july07:00
(GMT)
The Almirante
Irízar Position:S 59º 30´/ W 8º 45´ // SOG: 12.5 knots
Weathers with hurricane-like winds and
waves of 15 meters were put behind. Yesterday, the
Argentine icebreaker entered a new ice field (0 - 10 cm)
of three tenth of concentration. The conditions of
navigation allowed the crew to carry out a military
formation to commemorate independence day. The ceremony
was presided by the Commander of the Antarctic Naval
Force, captain Raul Eduardo Benmuyal.Source:
Argentine Navy
Tuesday, July 9 th
The "Irízar" icebreaker continues its
course, being its present position of 250 nautical miles
(450 km) to the east of the Sandwich of the South
archipelago. The arrival of the icebreaker to the North
edge of the ice barrier, that has the "Oldendorff"
trapped, is predicted for Thursday 11 in the evening,
depending on whether the meteorological conditions are
favourable and allow to maintain the speed of advance of
the ship. This barrier that interposes between the "Irízar"
and the "Oldendorff", has hundreds of kilometers of wide
and it is constantly expanding. The temperature in the
navigation route continues descending and the snow falls
that cover in white the covers of the ship are numerous.Source:
Argentine Navy
Monday, July 8th
Today, the "Admiral
Irízar" icebreaker retook his course towards the
"Magdalena Oldendorff", as soon as the severe weather in
his route of navigation lessened. Its present position
is of 400 nautical miles (720 km) to the Southeast of
the island of San Pedro, in the archipelago of the
Georgias of the South, and the winds in the area are of
20 knots, even though the prognosis anticipates a new
decline of the meteorological conditions for today's
afternoon.
Yesterday the Irízar has arrived at a new
ice field of 10 cm thick. The weather conditions allow
the crew to carry out a military formation to
commemorate the Independence Day. The ceremony was
presided for the Antarctic Naval Force commander,
captain Raul Eduardo Benmuyal.Source:
Argentine Navy
Meanwhile the
Swedish icebreaker Oden reports that his heading is now
set directly towards Cape Town and currently due west of
the Guinea/Sierra Leone border. The Oden expects to
cross the Equator during Thursday morning.
Sunday 7, july
Lat 58.30 S / Long
26.37 W - 08:00 (GMT)
Due to severe weather conditions with
winds up to 67 knots and waves that reach 15 meters of
heith the Icebreaker is adopting courses based on the
direction of the storm. The heavy weather is typical for
this time of the year for sub-antarctic zones and make
difficult the ship´s navigation. On the other hand
Magdalena Oldendorff has informed that the
meteorological and glaciological conditons in her zone
do not register any significative change.Source:
Argentine Navy
Saturday 6,
july
The icebreaker Argentine are 210
nautical miles to the Southeast of the Georgias
islands heaving a strong snow and wind storm.
The temperatures descend below cero and the
iceberg presence is increased. The Argentine
ship maintains radial contact with the Magdalena
Oldendorff.Source:
Argentine Navy
Friday 5, july
The first icebergs received to the
Icebreaker Argentine that continue advancing according
to her plan in spite of having to support strong winds
and visibility reduced by snow and fog.Source: Argentine
Navy
Thursday 4, july
Icebreaker
Almirante Irízar is 530 nautical miles (981,5
km) north of Orcadas Islands and proceeds
towards Antarctica where she will assist the
Magdalena Oldendorff which is over 3100 nautical
miles from the icebreaker.
Tuesday, 2 July, 2002
At present there
is still one Russian technician as
well as 17 crew members board. The
remaining crew will be sufficient to
bring the Magdalena Oldendorff off
the ice as soon as the Argentinian
icebreaker Almirante Irizar has
freed the way. The 'Almirante Irizar'
has sailed from Bahia Blanca,
Argentina, on June 28th and is
expected at the border of the ice at
the beginning of next week.
The Magdalena
Oldendorf has been at anchor since
11th June 2002 in the Bay of
Muskegbukta, at the edge of the ice
shelf, after supplying several
research stations in the South Polar
Sea with food and equipment on
behalf of the Russian Arctic and
Antarctic Research Institute (AARI).
She is managed by the shipping
company Egon Oldendorff of Lübeck,
Germany, and was due to take 79
Russian researchers back to Cape
Town .
Two South
African helicopters pulled the
remaining 18 passengers off the
Magdalena Oldendorff during a brief
period of good weather and daylight.
The rescue operation had been put on
hold over the weekend when a cyclone
forced the MV S.A. Agulhas to move
to north into thinner ice, 526
kilometres away from the Magdalena
Oldendorff and out of sale flying
distance.
The ship is
relatively safe from floating ice
and moving icebergs, as it is
protected into the Bay of
Muskegbutka . Essential crew members
will remain on board the Magdalena
Oldendorff until the arrival of the
Argentine Icebreaker Almirante
Irizar.
Scientists rescued from Magdalena Oldendorff
Monday, 1 July, 2002
The last russian scientists have
been evacuated to the MV S.A. Agulhas. The ship is
waiting for instruction either to return back to
Capetown or either to wait for the Icebreaker A.R.A.
Almirante Irizar wich is expected to be next week in
operational distance.
Friday,
28 June, 2002
Rescuers are
using a break in harsh winter conditions to airlift
Russian scientists from the supply ship Magdalena
Oldendorff and deliver supplies to those remaining
on board. Two helicopters Oryx flew from the heated
deck of South African research and supply vessel MV
S.A. Agulhas that has penetrated the ice fields to
within 350 kilometres (190 nautical miles) of the
trapped vessel, Magdalena Oldendorff.The Icebreaker
A.R.A. Almirante Irizar is on its way to Atarctica.
Also the Swedish Icebreaker Oden is on its way and
is expected to be in the area around 20th july.
More
scientists are being airlifted off Magdalena
Oldendorff but rescue flights will have to halt to
make way for an advancing cyclone. Rescue mission
spokesman Tanya Hacker told BBC News Online that 48
more of the Russian scientists were being taken off
the research vessel trapped by Antarctic ice.
Added to the
21 removed on Thursday, that would bring the total
rescued to 69. Two south African air force
helicopters made at least two flights each on Friday
from the rescue ship Agulhas, which is about 330
kilometres (180 nautical miles) from the trapped
Magdalena.
Temperatures
have been down around -20 C where the Agulhas is,
and -33 C where the Magdalena is trapped. because of
the weather, the Agulhas has had to begin moving
north, out of helicopter range and away from
Antarctic ice tath has reached 35 cm thick and is
thickening about 1 cm a day.
However, the
Argentinean icebreaker A.R.A. Almirante Irizar is
expected to arrive on 7 July,and
should be able to carve a path through the ice to
the Magdalena, allowing the trapped ship to follow
behind on the way out. Source: BBC news
Irizar Schedule
The programme
provided by the Argentine Navy authorities indicates
that by the 8th or the 9th of July, the Irizar will
be in 70ºS 0º Longitude. That plan counts with aid
of the nature to reach that point as fast as
possible. Meteorological reports indicates that at
60º there are strong storms from W to E every 36
hours.
The Icebreaker
A.R.A. Almirante Irizar has a crew of 176 men,
including 5 scientists specialized in glaciology and
meteorology, 26 members of the the naval
helicopters (pilots, copilots, mechanics and
auxiliary personnel). Six expert members of the
Argentine Army in patrollings on ice, a complete
sanitary equipment, made up of surgeon,
anesthetist,dentist, biochemist and personel of the
Naval Health and divers specially trained in
Antarctic zones. Also is on board a representative
of the Oldendorff Company. Source: Argentine Navy
