The Captain Pieter J. Lenie Base (WAP USA-12) is an Antarctic summer base operated by the United States located at Copacabana Beach, Admiralty Bay (King George Island). About two kilometers northwest of this base, is the Polish Research Station Arctowski (WAP POL-Ø1).
Pieter J. Lenie Base, also known as Copa (short for Copacabana), consists of three small buildings at the foot of Rescuers Hills, near Liano Point. The field station is located at 62° 10′ South, 58° 28′ West at Antarctic Special Protected Area (ASPA) 128. It was originally set up in 1978 as a refuge Hut, and was substantially upgraded and formally named for Pieter J. Lenie (captain of the American Antarctic research ship R/V Hero) in 1985.
Originally established for the long-term study of Pygoscelis penguins that nest nearby. Scientific research done at the Base is focused on population and diet monitoring of the Adèlie penguin and Gentoo penguin colonies on the beach, as well as second-hand monitoring of Krill populations in the adjacent waters
Pieter J. Lenie Base is a real rare one fot many Antarctic chasers… who knows … maybe, shortly someone from the Polish Arctowski Station, could be there and activate it … let’s keep our finger crossed!