The president of Los Yé¡manas, Constante Moreno Preto, has been working in the tourist industry for more than 30 years. “We have a fleet of four boats,” says Moreno, “with capacities of up to 170 passengers. All are powered by Volvo Penta, with two of our catamarans powered by Volvo Penta IPS 900 packages, rating 3.”

Moreno’s fleet mainly operates in the Beagle Channel – one of three navigable routes linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the southern tip of South America. “On a good day the water is calm but on a bad day the sea can get terrifying. It can really feel like a matter of life or death,” exclaims Moreno. “When conditions are bad it is vital that boats are reliable and that captains can manoeuvre them to safety easily. Volvo Penta’s individually steerable IPS drives are linked to the onboard Joystick giving captains more control of the vessel especially when doing tight manoeuvres or docking.”

The Beagle Channel is named after HMS Beagle, the ship which carried Charles Darwin to the area in 1831. Darwin was amazed at the flora and fauna in the region and tourists still flock to see the marine birds and mammals that reside here. Protecting this environment is high on Los Yé¡manas’ priorities. The Volvo Penta IPS package delivers up to 30 percent lower fuel consumption and emissions than an inboard shaft. “This results in a reduced impact on the environment and that matters to us and the future of our business,” explains Moreno.

Volvo Penta IPS also reduces noise and vibration levels by up to 50 percent which is important when operating in marine mammal habitats. Low noise and vibration also mean that passengers have a more comfortable experience and can feel even closer to the stunning nature.

“When you offer year-round tours, you need a reliable fleet. In the harsh conditions of the Southern Ocean – reliability is paramount for the safety of your passengers. The reliability of the boats makes us feel safer,” says Moreno. “Thanks to the support we received from Volvo Penta through Naval Motor we receive important spare parts in just 24 to 48 hours which is very quick if you think how remote we are.”