The Argentine Ministry of Defense reports, by the Antarctic joint commander, Marine Commodore Pablo Fal that the crew of the Icebreaker Almirante Irízar rescued five US scientists who were stranded in Antarctica.
The provided Irizar’s assistance is framed in the spirit of the commitments of the Antarctic Treaty which implies cooperation and assistance to human life on the White Continent and its surrounding waters
Because of the icy conditions of Joinville Island (in the Weddell Sea), the ship waiting for the scientists could not approach the camp to return them back to the Continent. For this reason, the National Science Foundation ( the Antarctic Program of the USA) required the help of the “Irizar” equipped with Sea King helicopters to assist the isolated US professionals and to rescue them and their camp.
The polar ship, which is doomed to the Antarctic Summer Campaign (CAV) that carries the defense portfolio, acted at the 
request of the Argentine Foreign Ministry and went to Joinville Island to rescue the scientists.
The location was quite close to Base Petrel (WAP ARG-17) and Base Esperanza (WAP ARG-Ø4) that Argentina has in the Gulf of Erebus and Terror. (Erebus and Terror Gulf is a gulf on the southeast side of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, bordered on the northeast by the Joinville Island group and on the southwest by the James Ross Island group).
The assistance was made through four flights with Sea King helicopters in a successful way, and the scientists will be transported during this journey to the US ship Laurence M. Gould.