The oceanographic research vessel (BIO) Hespérides returns today to its home port in the arsenal of Cartagena, marking the end of the XXIX Antarctic Campaign, which has been the longest deployment in the history of the vessel.
The vessel set sail on November 20, 2024, and has spent 221 days away from base, sailing almost 30,000 nautical miles, equivalent to almost one and a half times around the world, reflecting the effort and commitment assumed during this campaign.
During this period, it has operated as a logistical and scientific support platform in Antarctica, the South Atlantic Ocean, and the Spanish Exclusive Economic Zone, enabling the development of a total of nine research projects (seven in Antarctica and two non-Antarctic).
Throughout the campaign, over 341 movements of scientists and technicians have been carried out, who embarked on different sections and phases of the deployment. The research has covered fields such as oceanography, the study of marine ecosystems, the geology of ocean floors, and the monitoring of climate change and the presence of microplastics in Antarctica.
During its deployment, the «Hespérides» has made stops at various ports, facilitating the turnover of scientific and technical personnel, logistical provisioning, the loading of materials, and the rest of the crew. The visited cities have included Mar del Plata and Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Chile), Montevideo (Uruguay), Salvador de Bahía (Brazil), and Las Palmas (Spain).
One of the highlights of this campaign has been the unprecedented coincidence in Antarctic waters, for the first time in history, of three Spanish oceanographic vessels: the Hespérides itself along with the ‘Sarmiento de Gamboa’ and the ‘Odón de Buen’, coinciding with the visit of the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities to the Spanish Antarctic Campaign.
This unprecedented meeting is a clear reflection of the coordination and external projection of Spanish science in the most remote scenarios on the planet. Since its entry into service over 34 years ago, the Hespérides has been a fundamental pillar in the development of oceanographic research in our country, participating in scientific campaigns in all oceans and consolidating its international prestige as a reference platform for the scientific community.
Its operational capacity, versatility, and commitment have made it a symbol of the joint effort between the Navy and Spanish science. The success of this campaign has been possible thanks to the close collaboration between the Navy, the Spanish Polar Committee, the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, and the set of participating scientific institutions, as well as the excellent preparation of the ship’s crew, capable of operating for months in extreme weather conditions and environments of high technical and human demand.
With its return to Cartagena, it closes a prominent page in its operational history, reinforcing its role as a scientific ambassador of Spain in the world, and reflecting the national and Navy’s firm commitment to scientific research.
ABOUT THE OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH VESSEL HESPÉRIDES
The Hespérides, classified as a Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure (ICTS), is designed to conduct multidisciplinary scientific research in all seas and oceans of the planet. It has a crew of 60 people, under the command of Frigate Captain Fernando Moliné Juste, and has the capacity to accommodate up to 37 scientists and technicians.
It has a length of 82.5 meters and a displacement of 2,830 tons at full load. It has a total of 11 equipped laboratories, spread over more than 350 m2 dedicated to research. The vessel is built with a high-strength steel hull, with a reinforced keel for operating in icy conditions. It is certified as a Class «C» polar ship by the International Maritime Organization.
The BIO Hespérides is integrated into the Maritime Action Force (FAM), which, within the Fleet, is responsible, with a comprehensive approach, for ensuring permanent cooperation with the various bodies of the Administration with competencies in the maritime field, which constitutes the Navy’s contribution to State Action at Sea.
This vessel collaborates closely in the scientific management of its campaigns with the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, contributing to State action through the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
