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Tag: Falkland Islands

Argos Georgia

Argos Georgia

Argos Georgia

On July 22, the 53 meter long, 2004 gt fishing vessel Argos Georgia sank in the Atlantic Ocean some 200 miles east of the Falkland Islands. The Argos Georgia had been fishing for Patagonian toothfish when it suffered water ingress.  Unable to control the flooding, the 27 crew on board the Argos Georgia alerted authorities the vessel was sinking the crew were forced to abandon ship. r The crew struggled to launch life rafts as high winds and waves reaching 8 meters high continued to lash against the Argos Georgia.

After receiving the distress signal, authorities launched a search and rescue mission. Patrol vessels along with nearby fishing vessels began a search for survivors from the Argos Georgia. Reports state the patrol vessel Lilibet, fishing vessels Robin M Lee, and Puerto Toro searched the area along with multiple aircraft begun searching the area for life rafts.  Rescuers were able to rescue some 14 of the 27 crew which were later taken to hospital for assessment.  Nine bodies were also recovered during the operation. The remaining four missing crewmen were presumed deceased. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Le Boréal

Le Boréal

Le Boréal
© Crown copyright 2015

On November 18, the 142 meter long passenger cruise ship Le Boréal became disabled while en route to South Georgia from Ushuaia, Argentina on a 15 day cruise in the South Atlantic Ocean and Antarctica. The Le Boréal had suffered an engine room fire while off the Falkland Islands. The crew was able to extinguish the blaze, but the cruise ship had sustained significant damage resulting with a total loss of all power. Adrift, the Le Boréal was being driven towards Cape Dolphin, East Falkland by a strong northwesterly gale.  With no possibility of restoring power and a risk of going aground, the Le Boréal sent out a distress call and ordered everyone on board to abandon ship.

Authorities on the Falklands Islands received the call and with British Forces dispatched helicopters and vessels to the scene. When rescuers arrived on scene, they found multiple life rafts from the Le Boréal with over 200 persons while a small number still on the deck of the cruise ship.  Rescue helicopters lifted 79 off the deck while the HMS Clyde rescued over 200 people from the life rafts.

Authorities later reported that all passengers and crew had been accounted and were safely taken to the Falklands. Two tugs were dispatched and was able to keep the Le Boréal from going aground. Reports state the tug and salvage crews were to assess the condition of the Le Boréal. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

Hsiang Fu Chun

Hsiang Fu Chun

Hsiang Fu Chun

On February 26, contact was lost with the 700 ton squid fishing vessel Hsiang Fu Chun. The Hsiang Fu Chun and its 49 crew was sailing in the South Atlantic some 1,700 miles off the Falkland Islands when it  contacted its owners. The vessel reported it was taking on water from the deck when contact was lost.  Weather conditions in the area were reported to be poor. Authorities state that the Hsiang Fu Chun was equipped with an emergency beacon, but no signal was sent.  Because of its remote location, the search for the fishing vessel has been limited.  Three other fishing vessels in the area have been mobilized in the search effort.