by EH
The Italian icebreaker Laura Bassi, hailing from the port city of Trieste, has been forced to return to port after a mechanical failure disrupted its mission. The ship experienced a malfunction in its port engine on Dec. 16, while navigating roughly 300 miles south of New Zealand.
The incident occurred just two days after the vessel departed from Lyttelton, a small port town on New Zealand’s South Island. Following the failure, the crew decided to reverse course and return to Lyttelton for repairs.
Repair work is already underway, and officials have expressed confidence in a swift turnaround. Once operational, the Laura Bassi will resume its critical role in the 40th Italian Antarctic Expedition, an ambitious scientific effort supported by Italy’s Ministry of Universities and Research.
The expedition forms part of the National Antarctic Research Program, with the Laura Bassi playing a crucial role in transporting researchers and conducting oceanographic studies. The program is coordinated by Italy’s National Research Council (CNR) for scientific oversight, ENEA for logistical operations at Antarctic bases, and the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), which oversees the technical and scientific management of the vessel.
The Laura Bassi is no stranger to extreme conditions, often operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments. With repairs underway, researchers and officials alike are optimistic that the icebreaker will soon be back on track, continuing its mission to advance humanity’s understanding of the Antarctic.
For now, however, the vessel remains docked in Lyttelton, where engineers are working to ensure the ship is ready to face the icy waters of the Southern Ocean once again.
