April 12 represented an important moment for the Brazilian Navy (MB) and for national scientific research: the Oceanographic Support Vessel (NApOc) “Ary Rongel” and the Polar Vessel (NPo) “Almirante Maximiano” returned to Brazil after approximately six months in commission in Antarctica. The arrival of the ships at the Ilha das Cobras Naval Base, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), marked the end of the summer phase of the 43rd Antarctic Operation (OPERANTAR XLIII), which began last October.
Through the work of the Interministerial Commission for Marine Resources (CIRM), 24 research projects approved in a public notice were able to go into the field, with the participation of 165 researchers. In this context, the ships provided essential logistical support to the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station (EACF), so that activities could be carried out effectively and efficiently. In total, 400,000 liters of Antarctic diesel oil, 10 tons of supplies and several spare parts were transported, ensuring the full operation of the station, full support for research and the comfort and safety of the scientists and military personnel working there.
OPERANTAR XLIII
OPERANTAR is an integral part of the Brazilian Antarctic Program (PROANTAR) and carries out activities of both a scientific and logistical nature. Thus, one of the milestones of OPERANTAR XLIII was the continuation of the dismantling of the old EACF helipad, led by Brazilian Navy personnel. The process involved the use of plasma cutters to remove the metal structures, which were brought back to Brazil. By removing the equipment and structures that are no longer used by PROANTAR, the country reaffirms its commitment to preserving the environment on the frozen continent.
Also during this edition of the operation, the “Ary Rongel” and the “Almirante Maximiano” served as a base for the installation and removal of four scientific camps at different points in Antarctica. These camps are essential for projects that require data collection outside the station, especially in hard-to-reach locations. The work was carried out using boats and helicopters, expanding the reach of Brazilian research in the southern region. The ships also undertook hydrographic surveys with the aim of collecting the data needed to update nautical charts, essential for safe traffic, especially in areas of ice and poor visibility.
The Commander of the NPo “Almirante Maximiano”, Captain Carlos Eduardo Navazio de Oliveira da Silva, emphasizes that the mission helped to guarantee the country a voice in decisions regarding the future of the Antarctic continent. “We overcame challenges and managed to support several scientific projects and provide logistical support to the EACF. We sailed in several regions of Antarctica – we crossed the Drake Strait ten times – so this OPERANTAR was certainly crowned with success”, he says.
“Participating in OPERANTAR is a source of pride for us at the ‘Ary Rongel’. PROANTAR is a government program and it is very satisfying to represent Brazil and our Navy in the southern seas,” says the ship’s Commander, Captain Marco Aurélio Barros de Almeida. He also emphasizes that, despite facing intense weather conditions, the objectives were achieved. “The most important thing is that we were able to return with the entire crew safe and sound, which, for me, is the greatest mission of the Commander,” he adds.
The role of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) was also of utmost importance for the operation: six flights were carried out by KC-390 aircraft, between Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Punta Arenas, in Chile, with a stopover in Pelotas (RS). In this way, while the ships took the researchers who had recently arrived at the station, the FAB brought back to Brazil those who had finished their work.
Civilian researchers from different areas and entities also play an active role in the work carried out on the continent. “We participated in all phases of this operation, working both on the ‘Almirante Maximiano’ and on the EACF. Our role was to work on collecting material and, now, to continue, in the laboratory, the study of climate change through the carbon and silicon cycle”, explains the researcher from the University of São Paulo (USP) Vitor Gonsalez Chiozzini.
The commission was also beneficial for the researcher from the University of Brasília (UnB) Allan Laíd Alkimim Faria, who works with aerobiology: “We investigated, on the way from Punta Arenas to Brazil, the microorganisms that are taken to Antarctica and vice versa, among the bacteria, fungi and viruses, to see what changes are in these microorganisms, according to climate change”, he says.
This edition of OPERANTAR recorded a 23% increase in the number of approved research projects, resulting in a 27% increase in the number of supported researchers and a 33% increase in the number of camps. In addition, interaction with the Antarctic programs of Argentina, Chile, Poland, Russia, Ecuador, Canada, Peru and Turkey continued to enhance international cooperation – a fundamental principle of the Antarctic Treaty – and demonstrated Brazil’s commitment to strengthening its activities and promoting PROANTAR, Brazil’s longest-running scientific program.
Participating in a wide range of missions is an inherent characteristic of the life of a sailor – and, due to these absences, soldiers often have to sacrifice time from their family life. This is the case of First Sergeant Alisson Unias Aragão, Master of the NPO “Almirante Maximiano”. “It is a great satisfaction to return to our homeland after six months of commission. Returning to the bosom of our family is something very important, it is where we get our support, it is our safe haven”, he says.
In the case of Sergeant Alisson, this return is even more special: “My son was born during this mission. I haven’t had the opportunity or the pleasure of holding him in my arms yet, but soon I’ll fly to Fortaleza and I’ll finally meet him,” he celebrates.
Soon, the soldier will have another reason to celebrate, this time in relation to life on board: he is close to completing the significant milestone of 2,000 days at sea. “There are a little over ninety days left. On the next mission, God willing, I will receive the medal of four gold anchors on the ‘Almirante Maximiano’, in my second home, which is the Navy.”