VESSEL REVIEW | Almirante Viel – Chilean Navy icebreaker to support Antarctic research efforts

Chilean shipyard ASMAR has handed over a new polar icebreaker to the Chilean Navy. Designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Vard Marine, Almirante Viel boasts a PC5 class hull that will allow it to operate safely within the Antarctic Polar Circle, particularly in regions with temperatures as low as –30 degrees Celsius.

Multi-role platform with comprehensive equipment suite

The icrebeaker will also take on secondary missions such as search and rescue (SAR), scientific research, and logistical support, particularly the resupply of Chile’s four research stations on Antarctica.

The Lloyd’s Register-classed newbuild has all-steel construction, an LOA of 109.8 metres (360.2 feet), a moulded beam of 21 metres (69 feet), a design draught of 7.2 metres (24 feet), a depth of 10.6 metres (34.8 feet) from the main deck, a displacement of approximately 10,500 tonnes, and accommodation for 86 crewmembers and 34 scientists. ASMAR said these dimensions make Almirante Viel one of the largest ships to be built in Chile in addition to being the first icebreaker manufactured in South America.

The propulsion setup consists of two 4,700kW (6,300hp) and two 1,865kW (2,500hp) main engines, which can deliver a speed of 16 knots in open water and three knots when breaking through surface ice one metre (3.3 feet) thick. The propulsion will enable the vessel to sail up to 14,000 nautical miles in between refuellings or stay out at sea for a maximum of 60 days.

The vessel is fitted with a 2,000kW bow thruster for added lateral manoeuvrability and a 500kW emergency generator. The scientific equipment consists of a coring boom and an aft-mounded A-frame with a lifting capacity of 10 tonnes.

Also fitted are two Melcal cargo cranes each with a 20-tonne lifting capacity and a 20-metre (70-foot) reach, two geophysical winches, a four-tonne towing winch, a Gilson winch, a CTD winch, and two boat davits. The onboard facilities include laboratories and a hospital with its own operating room, clinical beds, pharmacy, and a dedicated space for treating patients with hypothermia. The electronics suite includes a multibeam echosounder and an omnidirectional search sonar.

The icebreaker is outfitted to permit scientists to explore the seabed at both high and medium depths, thus enhancing continuous monitoring and providing additional oceanographic information regarding the conditions in Antarctica.

Long endurance for demanding polar missions

The vessel also has a hangar and a flight deck for use by up to two AS332L Super Puma medium-lift helicopters. Should evacuation of the vessel become necessary, the occupants have access to four 16-person inflatable liferafts and two fully-enclosed, 67-person lifeboats. The liferafts and the lifeboats are all SOLAS-compliant.

Tank capacities are 2,202 cubic metres (77,760 cubic feet) for fuel oil, 153 cubic metres (5,400 cubic feet) for fresh water, 86 cubic metres (3,000 cubic feet) for aviation fuel, and 1,885 cubic metres (66,570 cubic feet) for ballast water. Space is also available for the transport of up to nineteen 20-foot containers and vehicle cargo.

Construction of Almirante Viel was undertaken for a total cost equivalent to approximately US$210 million. The icebreaker will be in operation for up to 250 days per year, ensuring an operational window twice that of the Chilean Navy’s earlier icebreaker, which has since been retired from service.