Wannigan for Uruguayans in Antarctica

Press, 21 August 1984, Page 8

Wannigan for Uruguayans in Antarctica

A Levin company is making three wannigans, or caravans, for use in Antarctica by the Uruguayan Antarctic Institute. Redpath Industries is making three wannigans, two of which can be clipped together to make a larger unit. The units measure 4m by 7.5 m and comprise a metal sheath over polyurethane insulation. The deal was arranged by the Antarctic Division of the D.S.I.R. in response to a request by the Uruguayan Institute. The D.S.I.R. is also arranging sea transport of the wannigans to Punta Arenas, in Chile, via Panama. From Punta Arenas the wannigans will be flown by Uruguayan Defence Services to King George Island, South Shetlands, in the Antarctic Peninsula area

where they will form the nucleus of the first Uruguayan base in Antarctica. A representative of the Uruguayan Government, Lieutenant-Colonel Omar Porciuncula, spent three weeks last summer looking at New Zealand’s programme in the Antarctic and saw wannigans being erected for a drilling camp at Butter Point in preparation for New Zealand’s major 1984 project. The purpose of Colonel Porciuncula’s visit was to assess logistic requirements of Antarctic research by his country. Each of the Uruguayan wannigans has five doubleglazed. windows, one of which forms an escape hatch for use in a fire. They also have ventilators.