Icebreaker Research Vessel Araon to Dock at Gwangyang Port Tomorrow Carrying Distant-Water Fishermen Isolated by COVID-19

Icebreaking research vessel Araon. (File photo)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Polar Research Institute announced on the 28th that the Araon, the country's only icebreaking research vessel, is scheduled to return to Gwangyang Port on the 29th after completing 182 days of Antarctic research activities.

Departing from Incheon around October last year, the Araon sailed a total of 57,000 km, equivalent to one and a half times around the Earth, covering the Antarctic Central Ridge, Amundsen Sea, Ross Sea, and other areas.

During this voyage, the Araon carried out not only planned missions such as Antarctic research and supply to the Jang Bogo Scientific Station but also unplanned emergency tasks including rescuing distressed fishing vessels and supporting the entry of isolated deep-sea fishermen.

In Antarctica, the Araon approached the rapidly melting West Antarctic Thwaites Glacier to install observation networks and collected sediments and seawater for research on past glacier movement restoration and ice shelf disintegration. Ice shelves are hundreds of meters thick ice masses floating on the sea, connected to glaciers on the Antarctic continent, acting as barriers preventing glaciers from flowing into the ocean.

Additionally, the vessel collected seabed samples to confirm the boundary of the Zealandia-Antarctic mantle, overturning the existing theory that had been accepted for 30 years after discovering a new mantle in previous explorations. Research was also conducted on krill distribution in the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area and on Adelie penguins that feed on them.

Notably, due to the global spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), some researchers conducted studies on the Araon for up to 123 days without crew rotation to prevent infection. The supply to the Jang Bogo Scientific Station was carried out without contact between the onboard crew and station personnel, causing delays beyond the original schedule and various difficulties.

Despite these challenges, in January, the Araon rescued the Korean deep-sea fishing vessel 707 Hongjinho, which was trapped in ice due to a steering failure. On its return from Antarctic research, it also supported the repatriation of 25 deep-sea fishermen stranded in Papua New Guinea (PNG) after a shipwreck.

The fishermen in PNG had been in an unpredictable situation regarding their return since the shipwreck accident on March 21, due to airport and port closures and border lockdowns caused by the spread of COVID-19 in PNG. The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries judged that the urgent repatriation of the shipwrecked fishermen was a top priority for their mental and physical stability. In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they held emergency consultations with the PNG government, enabling the Araon, returning to Korea, to take the fishermen onboard and bring them home together.

After docking at Gwangyang Port, the Araon will quickly complete ship repairs and operational inspections to avoid disruptions to year-round research activities and plans to set sail again in July for Arctic navigation.

Oh Woon-yeol, Director of the Marine Policy Office at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "During this Antarctic voyage, the Araon sailed for the longest period since its construction?60 days without resupply?and despite the adverse conditions of COVID-19, it excellently fulfilled its primary missions of station supply and research activities, as well as roles such as rescuing our fishing vessels and supporting the repatriation of deep-sea fishermen." He added, "It is difficult for a single vessel like the Araon to handle research activities and station supply in both the South and North Poles, as well as emergency rescues. Therefore, we will do our best to build a second icebreaking research vessel with safe and excellent performance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.