SA Icebreakers

This page contains the technical information and basic history of icebreakers built for countries of the Salidan Altiverse. (Full history can be found on respective polar program pages).

Additionaly, ground equipment and aircraft used in SA polar operations are also featured on this page, towards the bottom.

Icebreakers in service

Denton Antarctic Survey

Eitu and Alessia

Drawing of the Eitu

Drawing of the Alessia

• Builder: East Haven National Shipyard (Lock Haven, Denton)
• Build Date: 1982 (Eitu) / 1984 (Alessia)
• Launched: 1987 (Eitu) / 1989 (Alessia)
• Length: 133.5m
• Beam: 28.5
• Draught: 9.4m
• Max Speed: 18kt max, 3knt in 2.5m ice
• Propulsion: 6x diesel engines 3.8MW, 2x gas turbine 30.2MW (outboard props), turning 3x 5.2m 4-blade props in a CODLOG configuration
• Ice Class: LL9
• Tonnage: 17,300 tons
• Endurance: 7.0 months
• Complement: 42 Crew, 50 (Eitu)/ 80 (Alessia) Scientists, 40 passengers, 12 (Eitu)/ 18 (Alessia) helicopter detachment
• Aircraft Carried: 2 Donnelley GH-3 Gyrodyne (both) and 1 Worth U21P (Alessia)

New IB

• Builder:
• Build Date: 2011
• Launched: 2018
• Length: 174.5m
• Beam: 34.5
• Draught: 11.0m
• Max Speed: 18kt max, 3knt in 2.5m ice
• Propulsion: 2x nuclear reactors,
• Ice Class: LL9
• Tonnage: 33,700 tons
• Endurance: 8.0 months
• Complement: 90 Crew, 80 Scientists, 40 passengers, 18 helicopter detachment
• Aircraft Carried: 2 Donnelley GH-3 Gyrodyne and 1 Worth U21P

Royal Salidan Antarctic Commission

Mor-Anann

Drawing of the Mor-Anann

• Builder: Hietalahti shipyard (Finland), outfitted by Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide)
• Build Date: 1991
• Launched: 1993
• Length: 139.3m (142.65m to rear bumper)
• Beam: 28.2m
• Draught: 9.0m
• Max Speed: 20kt max, 3knt in 2m ice
• Propulsion: 2x nuclear reactors, 3x steam turbines (14MW each) turning 3x 5.5m 4-blade props (42MW total)
• Ice Class: LL8
• Tonnage: 20,500 tons
• Endurance: 7.5 months
• Complement: 134 Crew, 80 Scientists, 30 passengers, 18 helicopter detachment
• Aircraft Carried: 2 Donnelley GH-3 Gyrodyne and 1 Worth U21P.

Tir-Bauth

• Builder: Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide)
• Build Date: 1998
• Launched: 2000

Texas Polar Research Institute

Agustín Muñoz

Named after the first Texan to set foot on Antarctica, during the 1938 Denton-Hellas Antarctic Expedition. The Muñoz is a sister ship to the RSAC Tir-Bauth, ordered within 2 years of each other. The Muñoz is stationed in Rhone, Denton and works with the TPRI Antarctic branch. The Muñoz is Texas' first Icebreaker.

• Builder: hull built by Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide), outfitted by San Jacinto Shipyard (Houston, Texas)
• Build Date: 2000
• Launched: 2003

Icebreakers out of service

Royal Salidan Antarctic Commission

Priteni

Laid down 1964, completed 1972

Aircraft

Donnelley GH-3 Gyrodyne

The most popular light helicopter in the United Antarctic Programme, the GH-3 Gyrodyne was first introduced in 1963. The initial design has seen many upgrades through the years, the most prominent of which is the silencers added to the rotor tip-jets, which reduced the noise from 115db to 95db. The implementation of more powerful engines and two forward facing propellors driven by the main engines to create quick forward movement have made the GH-3 a favourite.

• Crew: 1-2
• Capacity: 7 passengers or 1000kg internally, 1200kg on external sling

• Cruise Speed: 280kmh
• Range: 600km
• Hover Ceiling: 4200m

Worth U21P

The Worth U21 is a Texan mid-size helicopter, with a capability similar to that of a Bell 412 or Kamov 27. The base aircraft model was introduced in 1980, with a polar variant introduced in 1984. It is equipped with a co-axial rotor configuration and 4 wheel landing gear.

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 16 passengers or 3500kg internally or 4000kg on external sling

• Cruise Speed: 205kmh
• Range: 1030km
• Hover Ceiling: 5000m