ARA Bahía Paraíso

ARA Bahía Paraíso was an Argentine Navy auxiliary ship that sank in 1989, 2 mi from Palmer Station at Arthur Harbor, Antarctica, resulting in a 170000 USgal oil spill.

Construction and design
Bahía Paraíso was ordered by the Argentine Navy on 27 February 1979 as a supply ship for use in Antarctic waters. The ship was launched from the Argentine shipyard Astilleros Príncipe y Menghi SA on 3 July 1980, entering service on 3 December 1981, with the pennant number Q 6.

Bahía Paraíso was 130.7 m long overall and 120.0 m between perpendiculars, with a beam of 19.5 m and a draught of 7.0 m. The ship had an icebreaking hull. Displacement was 9200 t full load. Two diesel engines rated at a total of 15000 shp drove two controllable pitch propellers, giving a speed of 18 kn.

The ship's holds had a capacity of 1200 m3 dry cargo, with an additional 250 m3 refrigerated storage, together with 1200 tons of cargo fuel. A flight deck and hangar for two helicopters was fitted. The ship had a crew of 124, and could carry 84 civilian passengers, who could be replaced by 252 troops.

Operational history
The ship operated as a naval auxiliary vessel from 1981 to 1986 and served in the Falklands War as a troop transport as well as a hospital ship. It was involved in transporting troops to Leith Harbour prior to the Invasion of South Georgia.

After the war it reverted as an Antarctic supply ship for the Navy with occasional tourists on board. It was on a resupply trip with tourists to Antarctica at the time of the sinking off Anvers Island. Passengers and crew were rescued by the Spanish Navy oceanographic research vessel Las Palmas.