During the months of January and February of this year, the Hydrographic Boat “Albatros” is carrying out, for the first time, hydrographic work in the Chilean Antarctic Territory, as part of the Antarctic Campaign 2025.
The group of specialists from the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Navy (SHOA), led by Chief of Commission First Lieutenant Harald Urbina, and with the support of the ATF “Lientur”, has carried out important hydrographic surveys with the purpose of updating the charts SHOA N° 14212 (INT 9124) “Antarctica- South Shetland Islands- Fildes Bay” and SHOA N° 14220 (INT 9133) “Chilean Antarctic Territory- South Shetland Islands- Nelson Strait”.
Activities have focused on bathymetric, oceanographic, cartographic and geodetic measurements, adapting to the challenges of the Antarctic continent, such as severe weather and the presence of ice. The “Albatros” platform, equipped with a portable multibeam system, has carried out work efficiently and safely, achieving outstanding results in data capture on the ground.
This effort is part of Chile’s commitment to international cartography in the Antarctic region, which it has made since 1994 when the country joined the Antarctic Hydrographic Committee (CHA). Since then, Chile, through SHOA, has worked on the development of 17 international maps, of which it has already produced 9, contributing to the development of scientific knowledge on the white continent.
The success of this campaign is the result of the joint work between the SHOA Hydrographic Group, the ATF “Lientur”, the Maritime Government and the Port Captaincy of Bahía Fildes, a collaboration that has allowed the established objectives to be met and has opened the possibility of continuing with future hydrographic commissions in the Chilean Antarctic Territory, strengthening Chile’s commitment to science and international cooperation in the region .