The research vessel Laura Bassi in Trieste for exceptional refitting

The Laura Bassi, the only Italian oceanographic research icebreaker ship, owned by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, returning from its mission in Antarctica, arrived this morning in Trieste at Fincantieri's shipyard (Arsenale Triestino San Marco - ATSM), where it will undergo an important and delicate refitting of its scientific equipment for the study and exploration of the entire marine ecosystem. At the end of the outfitting operations, taking about two months, the Laura Bassi will be engaged in her first scientific campaign in the Arctic. Work on OGS's most important unit will be carried out by Fincantieri, which will work together with a group of local companies.

The Laura Bassi will be equipped with a set of new instruments that will make it even more efficient in scientific campaigns and consequently more appealing to the national and international research system. Specifically, two new three-dimensional seabed mapping systems will be installed, as well as scientific echosounders that can "map" schools of fish down to abyssal depths, and innovative systems that can "see" inside the earth for over 3,000 metres. Sampling and coring systems for the seabed will also be installed, as well as instruments that measure currents at depth while the ship is underway.

The operation is possible thanks to contributions from the National Programme for Research in Antarctica (PNRA) and the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, which has received specific funding from the Ministry. The Laura Bassi arrives in Trieste at the end of her second expedition to the South Pole in a 12-month period, the 36th expedition of PNRA, funded by the Ministry of University and Research and managed by ENEA for planning and logistical organisation, and by CNR for programming and scientific coordination.