Last Monday, August 26, the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s scientific research vessel, Falkor (too), docked at the north pier of Oxxean Marina and will remain in our port to carry out various maneuvers and crew changes, among other tasks.

The vessel, formerly the multipurpose ship Polar Queen, has a LOA of 110 meters and a beam of 20 meters, and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 13 knots. It can accommodate up to 90 people and holds a polar vessel certificate.

The Falkor (too) is a state-of-the-art vessel, equipped with the most sophisticated technology available today, including laboratories, tools, high-performance equipment, and computer systems, whose objective is to provide the global scientific community with information and studies based on ocean research and cutting-edge technology development.

This vessel, whose name pays homage to Michael Ende’s book *The Neverending Story* (in which Falkor, a magical dragon-dog, appears), has been in Chile since January conducting research, traveling the length of our country from north to south.

For this reason, the vessel is expected to remain at our terminal for a week before heading north, entering dry dock, and returning to Puerto Montt, and finally setting sail for Antarctica in November.

Por lo mismo, se espera que esta nave esté en nuestro terminal durante una semana para luego volver al norte, subir a dique y regresar a Puerto Montt, para finalmente en noviembre tomar rumbo a la Antártica.