Russian ship delivers scientists, cargo to Antarctica

A Russian icebreaker has arrived in Antarctica bringing a new team of scientists and cargo to Argentinean research stations on the continent, a spokesperson for the Far Eastern Shipping Company said on Tuesday. The Vasiliy Golovnin vessel delivered about 60 scientists and 4,000 metric tons of supplies and scientific equipment to Argentina's Antarctic stations of Esperanza, San Martin, Marambio, Orcadas, Jubany and Petrel. “Vasiliy Golovnin has moored near the first station – the Orcadas,” Tatyana Dolgova said. The supplies will be transported to the shore by a KA-32 helicopter as most of the stations have no quays, Dolgova added. The mission is expected to continue until March, but may be prolonged for an undetermined period due to severe ice conditions along the Antarctic coast this year. Vasiliy Golovnin has been charted by Argentina for five years in a row after Argentinean Admiral Irizar icebreaker, traditionally used in Antarctic missions, was damaged by fire in April 2007. Argentina maintains six permanent and ten seasonal stations in Antarctica.