The Bahía Lapataia Reserve will accept private megayachts with helicopters
The management of the Parque Nacional Tierra del Fuego national park has approved a request from the local maritime agency Ushuaia Shipping to moor three private yachts in Bahía Lapataia. The vessels LONIAN, HODOR and SHERAKHAN, each about 70 meters long, will arrive from the Chilean port Puerto Natales and will remain in the park's waters from November 12 to 18, 2026.
According to a document signed by the head of the park Marcelo Almirón on October 27, 2026, vessels must be strictly located at points designated by the prefecture. Since the movement of auxiliary motor boats in the coastal zone is prohibited, passenger delivery was allowed to be carried out by onboard helicopters. Flights must be carried out exclusively between decks without landing on the land of the park, bypassing areas of wild animal gatherings and the coastline.
The issuance of such a quick permit has drawn criticism, as Article 5 of the National Parks Act República Argentina explicitly prohibits the flying of powered aircraft over protected areas, except for rescue operations, firefighting, or designated commercial routes. According to investigators, the fleet belongs to an American businessman LORENZO FERTITTA.
Context
The República Argentina legislation on protected areas allows exceptions for motorized aviation only in strict circumstances: in the absence of alternative corridors through the mountains, during scientific research, or during search and rescue missions.