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 D&H 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 Donnalley 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 Donnalley 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 D&H 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 Donnalley GH-3 Gyrodyne and 1 Worth U21P.

Tir-Bauth

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

Fuil-Etain

Fwil-Etain is a light icebreaker used for research on the Antarctic peninsula, being based in Punta Arenas.

• Builder: Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide)
• Build Date: 2002
• Launched: 2003

Dun-Creigne

Dun-Creigne is a light icebreaker used for research on the Antarctic peninsula, being based in Punta Arenas.

• Builder: Kerrach-Rathes Co. Ltd. (Seiskin, Salide)
• Build Date: 2003
• Launched: 2004

Texas Polar Research Institute

Agustín Muñoz

Named after the first Texan to set foot on Antarctica, during the 1939 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
• Length:
• Beam:
• Draught:
• Max Speed:
• Propulsion: 4x D&H diesel engines 2.7MW, powering two electric motors.
• Ice Class:
• Tonnage:
• Endurance:
• Complement:
• Aircraft Carried: 1 Donnalley GH-3 Gyrodyne and 1 Worth U21P.

Icebreakers out of service

Royal Salidan Antarctic Commission

Salide

Laid down 1960, completed in 1963. First ship to reach the north pole in 1974. Salide was accompanied to the pole by Priteni, though Priteni reached the north pole 2 hours after Salide.

Priteni

Laid down 1964, completed 1972

Aircraft

Donnalley GH-3 Gyrodyne

The GH-3 Gyrodyne was first introduced in 1963, by Donnalley Aerospace of Tramor, Salide. 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 the most popular light helicopter in the United Antarctic Programme.

• 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

Ground Equipment

Salidan and Dentonite vehicles are painted entirely in orange, while Texan vehicles are painted entirely in red or with a red and blue paint scheme. Beginning in 2006, the red and orange colours are mixed with glass to present a highly reflective surface that can be illuminated with just a handheld torch or even the moon, under optimal conditions.

Prudhomme AET Snow Tractor

The Antarctic Explorator Tractor is a mobile lab and dormitory used the DAS and RSAC. It is manufactured at the Prudhomme factory in Komorn-Piaski, Denton.

• Length: 9.3m
• Width: 3.8m
• Height: 4.0m
• Engine: 775kW V8 bi-turbo (4th generation upgrade)
• Cruise Speed: 30kmh
• Weight: 35 tonnes

• Interior Floor Space: 30m2
• Accomodations: 8 bunks

With the 4th generation upgrades (2019), the AETs have built-in support for remotely controlling two Maccallan SnowTracs, allowing them to accompany an AET without requiring additional drivers.

Maccallan Beira Snow Tractor

Named after the Salidan goddess of winter, the Beira is similar in dimensions and capability to the Bv206 or Sisu Nasu. It is a small articulated vehicle, primarily used for passenger transport. It is fully amphibious and able to haul 5 passengers in front (in addition to the driver) and 12 passengers in the rear unit. The rear passenger transport unit can be swapped for a flatbed with a crane, for light cargo duties.

Maccallan SnowTrac

Designed and built by Maccallan Equipment Co., based in Ballyveagh, Salide and produced under license by Oshiro Motors in Denton.

Used for transporting cargo via sledges or by spanning loads between two SnowTracs. The 3rd generation (2017) SnowTracs are capable of being controlled from a neighbouring unit, with up to two additional units being controlled from one SnowTrac cabin (through a built in controller system) by either the driver or a passenger.

Maccallan QuadTrac Polar

The Maccallan QuadTrac is a standard agricultural tractor. The DAS expressed interest in a large sledge tractor to haul components and supplies to and from its Bentley Station and Dome A Station and Telescope. Maccallan responded with an adaptation of the QuadTracP for use in the extreme Antarctic climes, with the primary changes being a larger fuel tank (bringing total capacity to 3000l), optimisation to run on the DAS Biofuel Blend, and a new heavly insulated cab that can hold up to 3 people. The new cab contains a fold down table along the back wall, with some small cabinets behind, which contain food stores, as well as small basic kitchen appliances. A self-contained toilet system is located underneath the folding table. The seats for the driver and passengers can fold down almost flat, providing a temporary bunk, allowing for drivers to switch without stopping.

While Maccallan does not offer its standard agricultural models with remote control, the QuadTrac Polar model was retrofitted with remote control capabilities in 2017, as is equipped in the SnowTrac. However, only one QuadTracP can be operated from the cab of another. Two SnowTracs can be controlled remotely from the cab of a QuadTracP, though not in conjunction with another remote QuadTracP.

• Length: 7.4m
• Width: 3.5m
• Height: 3.8m
• Engine: 500kW I6 bi-turbo
• Cruise Speed: 20kmh
• Weight: 26 tonnes

• Fuel Capacity: 3000 litres