Spanish research vessel Hesperides conducts mission in Antarctic.

According to a tweet published by the Spanish Navy on January 27, 2023, after crossing the Antarctic Circle, the oceanographic research vessel Hesperides will call at Margarita Bay.
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Spanish Navy's research vessel Hesperides. (Picture source: Spanish MoD)

Hespérides (A-33) is a Spanish polar research vessel built in 1990, by Bazán Shipyards of Cartagena, Spain. The vessel is operated by the Spanish Navy and is primarily used to service the research bases in Antarctica, mainly the Spanish Juan Carlos I Antarctic Base, and to perform research voyages.

The vessel is equipped with a computer-controlled variable-pitch propeller, stern and bow thrusters, and can move through up to 0.5 meters of ice at 5 knots. She also has ice class 1C and carries one helicopter. The Spanish National Research Council is responsible for the scientific equipment on board.

Hespérides has a standard displacement of 1,983 tons and a full displacement of 2,750 tons. It has a length of 82.5 meters, a beam of 14.3 meters, a height of 7.35 meters, and a draft of 4.42 meters.

The vessel has a range of 12,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. The endurance of Hesperides is 120 days and she has a complement of 29 scientists and a crew of 58.