RS Karpuj is a 24 m long vessel with capacity for 5 scientists. It offers the possibility to perform seawater sampling and measurements with an oceanographic rosette (CTD) up to 1.000 meters depth. Sampling of phyto- and zooplankton through vertical lifting nets, sampling of marine sediments with a dredge, transects of echo sounder surveys of krill and fish abundance, and bathymetric surveys are carried out as well.

The vessel is owned by the Instituto Antártico Chileno (INACH).

Contribution to POLARIN key research challenges: 1,2,4,5

Contact:

Operator contact: alopez[at]inach.cl 
Logistic evaluation contact: ctoledo[at]inach.cl

Website

https://www.inach.cl/expedicion-antartica/bases-chilenas-en-antartica-2/karpuj/

Location

King George Island, South Shetland, Antarctica RS

Facilities
Bedroom for 5 researchers, Kitchen and dinning room. 
Equipments: EchoSounder Simrad 38, 120 and 200 kHz, A-Frame stern gantry (dimensions app. 4 x 4 m), with lifting and pulling capacity of 2 tons, Electric winch with 2000 m of 5 mm stainless steel cable for 1.5 tons of lift, Rosette for 12 Niskin bottles of 5 L each, 1 CTD Idronaut Ocean Seven 316Plus. 
Communications: HF and VHF radio, satelital phone, Starlink. 
Science disciplines: Antarctic Ecology, Ecosystem resilience and adaptation, Climate change, Oceanography. 
Typical area of operations: South Shetlands Island, Gerlache Strait up to Doumer Island.

Services offered

The vessel offers accommodation, meals, and scientific equipment for sampling. It is commonly used by international researchers; in the 2022/23 season it has been used by 5 international researchers (10%).

What is included in the Access

Unit of access: RI/day

Modalities of access offered: In-person access and remote access

TA includes accommodation, all meals and access to scientific equipment. The  typical duration of work is between 1 and 10 days. The researchers will join the track of the vessel, or if its necessary visit a specific location.

Availability for access in the TA Call 2024

15 days for user groups of up to 5 members.

Only available in combination with ESCUDERO or PRAT stations.

10.01 – 20.02.2026

10.01 – 20.02.2027

Operational area: South Shetlands Islands.

The vessel is only available in combination with ESCUDERO or PRAT stations.

Time frame for access preparations
Time frame to receive the documentation from RI users (after access is granted): Three months before the travel.
Time frame for logistic arrangements to access the RI: 
One month before the travel.

Permits, licenses and training

ZAEPs authorisation.

Medical guidelines

Health certificate for extreme zones.