R/V Laura Bassi, Italian Ice Breacker

RRS Ernest Shackleton leased for twenty years by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), has returned to her owners, Norwegian shipping Company G.C. Rieber Shipping on 30 April 2019.

In May 2019 the I/B was purchased by the Italian National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS), thanks to a grant from the MIUR (Italian Ministry of University and Research),  to be used as a research vessel and logistical support in Antarctica. So I/B Enest Shackleton, has been renamed as  R/V Laura Bassi, heir of the old R/V OGS Explora and R/V Italica.

Oceanographic vessel R/V Laura Bass, will be the leading actress of the Italian research programs at the poles for the next twenty years,.after the change of property from BAS to the Italian OGS, and from now and ahead will be used for scientific activity and logistical support for Italian Antarctic explorations.

We do not have information so far, of any Ham radio activity from onboard.