REMODELLING AND REPAIR WORK OF THE JAPANESE ANTARCTIC RESEARCH SHIP SOYA

• Main Author: Yoichiro TOKUNAGA
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: National Institute of Polar Research 1964
• Subjects: Geography (General); G1-922; Antarctic; Ongul; Ongul Island; Sikorsky; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.15094/00007365; https://doaj.org/article/027c86f032d841eb928807d0c0d3ab2f

The M. S. SOYA, formerly a lighthouse supply vessel belonging to the Maritime Safety Agency of the Japanese Government, was remodelled as an Antarctic research ship in 1956. After the 1 st Antarctic voyage in which the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition established the Syowa Base in Ongul Island, her cargo capacity was increased by 25% and her thrust horsepower by 20% over that of the previous year. During the 2 nd Antarctic voyage the M. S. SOYA could not approach the Syowa Base due to thick ice. One of her propeller blades was broken and the rudder stock was twisted during this voyage. Therefore, aerial transportation by two large helicopters was employed in subsequent expeditions. In 1958 the M. S. SOYA was fitted with a flight deck for Sikorsky 58 helicopters and gasoline storage tanks with necessary apparatuses. During the fourth remodelling work in 1959, a lifting boom was furnished for the S-58's on the stern derrick post. The spectacle frame was heavily damaged and the screw shaft was bent during the fourth Antarctic expedition. Repair work was carried out in 1960 and 1961.