On 23 January 1954, Argentine Navy personnel inaugurated the Capitán Cobbett Naval Refuge on a rocky promontory on Primavera Cape, along the southwestern coast of Cierva Cove in the north access to the Gerlache Strait. Over many years this building was used by Argentine exploration expeditions to the area. On 3 March 1977, seeking to strengthen the Argentine sovereign presence over Antarctica and specifically, the expansion of scientific studies on the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, a task force of the Argentine Army settled in Primavera Cape. Lieutenant ColonelIgnacio Carro and eight men under his command expanded the Capitán Cobbett refuge, setting up all the facilities needed to support the Argentine Antarctic Institute–commissioned scientists. Such buildings included two small houses, a basic bathroom and a deposit. A freezing chamber, two shelters, power plant and radio station were added later. As a secondary mission the small expedition carried out detailed meteorological and glaciological observations. Since 1982 the base is activated only during the austral summer campaigns.
Description
Formed by a large granite massif, the steep promontory where Primavera lies on benefits from a microclimate that favors both human activity and the development of rich flora and fauna:
On ice-free places, lichens, mosses and some small grasses grow in layers.
Ninety percent of all Antarctic animal species can be spotted in the bay, among them:
The base is located within a Site of Special Scientific Interest as designated by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. Primavera is only inhabited during summer, and has 11 buildings for housing a maximum of 17 people, a crew usually made up by a staff of 6 Argentine scientists, 4 invited foreign ones and 7 army personnel. Some of the base's critical facilities are the main house, dining room, heliport, infirmary, power plant, vehicle fleet, laboratory, workshop and deposits. The heliport is only usable during summer. The main activities at the base are centered on area logistics; general maintenance of domestic buildings, neighboring shelters, and search and rescue capabilities; support for scientific activities, medical and meteorological expeditions, nearby bases, and ships and aircraft, both local and foreign.
Owing to the mild microclimate within the bay, the maximum and minimum temperatures range between the relatively moderate and. Similarly, recorded wind speeds average blowing mostly from the northwest.
