A fishing vessel named Argos Georgia sank nearly 200 miles off the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic near the tip of Argentina, resulting in at least nine deaths and four missing crew members, officials said. The incident has sparked a joint rescue operation involving British, Spanish, and Argentine authorities.
The Argos Georgia, a 176-foot vessel, began taking on water late Monday evening, July 22, due to strong winds and rough seas. The sudden flooding overwhelmed the crew’s efforts to stabilize the ship. The vessel issued a distress call, prompting a rescue operation coordinated by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the British military, and the governments of the Falklands and South Georgia. Despite challenging sea conditions, with waves reaching up to 25 feet and winds gusting at 35 knots, 14 of the 27 crew members made it onto life rafts and were rescued by nearby fishing boats.
Pedro Blanco, a representative of Spain’s government in the northwest region of Galicia, stated that the crew included 10 Spaniards, eight Russians, five Indonesians, two Uruguayans, and two Peruvians. The Spanish provincial government identified the ship’s cook, from the town of Baiona, as one of the deceased. “The loss is deeply felt in our community,” Blanco remarked.
The rescue operation faced significant difficulties due to the extreme weather conditions. A military helicopter initially involved in the rescue had to suspend its efforts due to poor visibility and turbulent seas. The survivors were brought to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands for medical assessments at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. Local officials are providing support to the crew members’ families.
The Argos Georgia, managed by Argos Froyanes Ltd., a British-Norwegian company, was operating under the flag of St. Helena, a British overseas territory. The vessel, a modern freezer-longliner built in 2018, was on its way to fishing grounds when the incident occurred. The Falkland Islands government and the Argentine Navy coordinated the rescue efforts, with both parties expressing condolences to the families of the victims.
British Forces South Atlantic Islands and local fishing patrol boats played critical roles in the rescue mission. “The conditions were extremely challenging, but the coordinated efforts of all involved ensured the safety of many crew members,” a spokesperson from the Falkland Islands government stated.
The incident has revived tensions over the sovereignty claims in the region. The Falkland Islands, a British-controlled archipelago, is also claimed by Argentina as the Malvinas. The rescue operations took place within the disputed maritime boundary, with both British and Argentine authorities asserting their presence.
The Argos Georgia’s sinking is a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by those in the fishing industry. “Our crew members are true professionals who undergo regular training for such situations,” said a spokesperson for Argos Froyanes Ltd. “We have full confidence in their abilities and the effectiveness of the safety equipment on board.”
Authorities have continued to search for the remaining missing crew members. A second aircraft has been deployed to assist in the search, but hopes are fading due to the harsh weather and the amount of time that has elapsed since the sinking.
The Falkland Islands government issued a statement expressing solidarity with the families of the victims and gratitude to all who participated in the rescue efforts. “The collaborative effort demonstrates the resilience and commitment of the maritime community in facing such adversities,” the statement read.
The Argos Georgia incident underscores the perils of the South Atlantic fishing grounds, known for their treacherous weather conditions. The vessel was a key player in the Patagonian toothfish fishery, an industry that demands high levels of skill and resilience from its participants.