LASTROLABE

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Icebreaker underway to drydock

The 'Astrolabe' has left Hobart on Nov 29, bound to Fremantle where it should arrive on Dec 9 to be drydocked. Following the problems with propulsion and inspection dives, it appeared that the vessel should see the propulsion bearings changed. Once drydocked, additional inspections will be conducted to see if further work is needed. After repairs in Rockingham since Dec 9, 2019, the ship left the port again on Jan 5 at 4 a.m. and headed to Hobart where it arrived on Jan 11 at 330 a.m. On Jan 14 at 7.45 a.m. the ship sailed again towards the South Pacific.

Icebreaker to be drydocked

After several dives which were conducted since Nov 18, the French Navy, which crews the 'L'Astrolabe' and manages the maintenance, decided that it could not ensure its mission in the state and had to go into dry dock for repairs. The 'L' Astrolabe' should leave Hobart on Dec 1 and, after five days of transit, arrive in Perth where it was scheduled to enter drydock on Dec 9. Once docked, it will be possible to check the extent of the damage, carry out the work perform tests. A return to service was expected on Dec 17. After learning about the technical problems of the vessel one week ago, the Paul Emile Victor Polar Institute (IPEV) called on the international polar community to look for alternative solutions for ts scientific bases in Antarctica. The Director of the Australian Antarctic Division offered his support, noting that Australia has a very close collaboration with the French Polar Institute. Without the support of the AAL, the maintenance and refueling of the research stations and the conduct of the French scientific projects would have been compromised. The AAD will provide the 'Aurora Australis', an icebreaker of the P & O Maritime Services group, which has been chartered for the support of the three Australian permanent bases in Antarctica and the Antarctic research station. Currently on the way to Hobart, the ship was expected to arrive before the end of November and will leave early December after loading the cargo, about 250 m3 of fuel and the passengers that were to be embarked on the 'L'Astrolabe'. After a visit to Macquarie Island, the 'Aurora Australis' will drop them off at Dumont d'Urville and then return to Hobart to continue the refueling trip originally scheduled for the Casey Research Station in late December.

First dive carried out

A first dive was carried out underneath the hull of the 'L'Astrolabe' on Nov 18 in Hobart. The ship was to leave last week for the first refueling operation of the French Antarctic bases Dumont d'Urville and Concordia. However a propulsion damage, which would be related to one of the two propeller shafts, resulted in the cancellation of this first rotation scheduled for Nov 14. The results of this dive have not been sufficient and a second dive was due on Nov 19. The French Navy should give its conclusions by Nov 21. If the ship has to be dry-docked for permanent repairs, it probably would not be able to secure the second logistics rotation of the polar summer. It may become necessary to charter another vessel to be able to supply and repatriate the scientists.