Peru: Scientific Vessel Heads to Antarctica For 2nd Expedition

The Peruvian oceanographic vessel Carrasco, which is a Spain-built ship considered the most modern of its kind in Latin America, left for Antarctica Friday for its second expedition, the Peruvian Navy reported.

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The vessel has state-of-the-art equipment that includes: a helicopter, echo sounding technology to study marine biomass, two underwater autonomous vehicles that send real-time information from a depth of 3,000 meters, an oceanographic rosette to take water samples, and an underwater robot that inspects pipelines, docks, and anchoring structures.

The new expedition aims to develop 11 projects at sea and 13 scientific projects in Peru's base in Antarctica. These investigations will address issues such as glaciology, geology, atmospheric research, and climate change.

The vessel's crew will also carry out biotechnology projects in order to design a new antibiotic based on a frozen element found in Antarctica.

Infographic with more information about the oceanographic ship Carrasco.

"El Carrasco is one of the world's most modern research vessels and the most modern in Latin America," captain Carlos Guerrero Malpartida, the ship's director, remarked.

The vessel has eight versatile scientific laboratories with state-of-the-art hydrographic and oceanographic equipment.

"First of December Antarctic's Day: On Dec. 1, 1959, the Antarctic Treaty is signed, claims of territorial sovereignty are frozen, and the White Continent is declared a world heritage dedicated to peace and scientific research."

"In addition, Antarctica itself is a kind of natural laboratory," as Rear Admiral Jorge Paz, director of Hydrography and Navigation of the Peruvian Navy, pointed out

The 26th Peruvian expedition on Antarctica will end on March 15, 2019. Of the 99 travel days, the Carrasco crew will spend 73 at sea.