In preparation for the next Antarctic campaign 2024/2025 , the Tandanor team is dedicated to carrying out planned maintenance work on the ARA icebreaker “Almirante Irízar” (Q-5) in one of the docks of the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base .
Priority tasks include the surface treatment process in the submerged and elevated part of the vessel , as well as the cleaning and painting of the chain boxes , the chains themselves, and the anchors. In addition, the inspection and replacement of valves will be carried out in various critical systems such as bubbling, trim, general services, cooling, fuel and ballast.
Likewise, the modification of the icebreaker's general service pipes is planned to guarantee optimal operation of all service systems , along with the renewal of galvanic protection , an essential measure to prevent corrosion of the vessel's hull .
These tasks, which began with the entry of the icebreaker into dry dock at the end of May after successfully completing the 2023/2024 Antarctic Summer Campaign , are crucial to maintain and ensure the correct performance of the onboard systems and the safety of ship operations in extreme Antarctic conditions .