2023-06-22 22:15:19
Talcahuano. “The collaboration that the Navy makes on the scientific issue is fundamental. We are a country of the sea, with access to Antarctica and therefore being able to develop science with infrastructure of this level is a privilege. I was impressed with the dimensions of the ship and challenged how from the Ministry of Science we can make the most of this capacity for the benefit of national science”. These were part of the statements made by the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Aisén Etcheverry, after visiting the Navy Shipyard and Maestranzas, ASMAR Talcahuano, where he learned about the construction process of the icebreaker “Almirante Viel”. .
The Secretary of State added that she was aware of the work carried out by ASMAR Talcahuano, “but it is important and relevant to know how they are collaborating with universities in the region and also with other companies. Here is a technological development that is very useful for ASMAR, but also has great transfer potential; therefore, we have to make these things visible so that they are better known and invite others to participate and be part of these fundamental processes”, he highlighted.
Upon arrival at the industrial plant, Minister Etcheverry and her entourage were received by the Commander-in-Chief of the Second Naval Zone, Rear Admiral Daniel Muñoz, and the Shipyard Administrator, Captain Juan Cristóbal Méndez, who explained to her the scope that They involve the Antártica I project, within the framework of which the icebreaker ship “Almirante Viel” is being built, and the Escotillón project, which contemplates the construction of the future multipurpose ship, works that are carried out in the context of the Continuous Naval Construction Plan, which the The Chilean Navy carries on with the construction of various types of Units.
Commander Mendez along with explaining the organic, administration, repair, construction, maintenance and modernization of naval units; as well as fishing and merchant ships, he stressed that “it is an important pole of industrial development and job creation for the Biobío region and for the country.”
He also referred to the construction process of the icebreaker ship, which is 78% complete, indicating that the main tasks being carried out are related to “the mechanical and electrical works for the test program; commissioning of peripheral systems; mechanical, electrical and habitability works for the closing of compartments; priming of fuel tanks and work on electronic systems, ”he detailed.
Likewise, Rear Admiral Muñoz explained the different activities that take place in the jurisdictional area of the Second Naval Zone, between Punta Boyeruca, in the Maule region and the mouth of the Bueno River, in the Los Ríos region, “those that are related to naval, maritime, port, historical-cultural tasks and mainly those of a logistical support nature at the Talcahuano Naval Base, to support the operational units of the Chilean Navy”, highlighted the Commander in Chief of the Second Naval Zone.
Development of scientific research
The scientist Macarena Varas, who was part of the delegation that accompanied Minister Etcheverry during her visit to ASMAR Talcahuano, highlighted the quality of this new vessel: “this 100% national product has a design designed for scientists, it will have ample spaces for the laboratories, to store samples in adequate conditions and the habitability are very good. So I am very impressed with how the design, the implementation and the work they have done in the shipyard have developed.”
The researcher, a Molecular Biotechnology Engineer and a PhD in Microbiology, who currently works in Public Policy at the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, recalled that throughout her professional performance she has traveled to Chilean Territory on several occasions Antarctic with the support of the Navy. “I have gone on the ship ‘Aquiles’ and on the patrol boat ‘Marinero Fuentealba’, but since those ships do not have laboratories, we filtered water and brought those filters for later studies, but with the ship “Almirante Viel”, it is an important step for the development of scientific research in Antarctica, because in addition to its technical capabilities, this ship will have the possibility of reaching latitudes much further south, so it will be a considerable advance in the study of what is not known , because there is still no possibility of reaching those places, where there are no scientific bases and the weather conditions are more extreme; Without a doubt, this platform will be a great contribution to all scientific development, not only to my area”, she highlighted.
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