Thread: Search continues for missing Argentine submarine with 44 crew members

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - An Argentine military submarine with 44 crew members on board was missing at sea in the South Atlantic on Friday, prompting a massive search to locate the vessel which may have suffered a communication error, a navy spokesman said.


The ARA San Juan submarine was in the southern Argentine Sea, 432 km (268 miles) from the Patagonian coast when it gave its last location two days ago.


“When the submarine has no communication with land, it has to go to the surface, and so visual or radar detection is what is important,” Argentine naval spokesman Enrique Balbi told reporters. “The search in the area remains hot.”


The navy began an air and sea search on Thursday. On Friday afternoon, Argentina’s foreign ministry said that the U.S., British and Chilean governments had offered logistical support and exchanges of information to assist with the search.


A Chilean aircraft with the ability to search during the night was en route to assist, Chile’s Foreign Minister Heraldo Munoz said.


Balbi said the submarine, which left the southern city of Ushuaia for Mar del Plata, both in Argentina, had food supply for several days and would likely continue its journey despite communication problems.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-a...-idUSKBN1DH1MP

I hope this submarine is found and the crew are spared a potentially awful demise.
Submariners, of any nation, are a special breed and deserve the best service their government can give them. Argentina should swallow its pride and accept any and all offers of help.

The Falkland Islands are 432 kms from the Patagonian coast.

Originally Posted by misskit

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - An Argentine military submarine with 44 crew members on board was missing at sea in the South Atlantic on Friday, prompting a massive search to locate the vessel which may have suffered a communication error, a navy spokesman said.

Pretty optimistic interpretation I would have thought. "Argentinian submarine" would be right up there with "chocolate teapot" in terms of functionality I would have thought.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Pretty optimistic interpretation I would have thought. "Argentinian submarine" would be right up there with "chocolate teapot" in terms of functionality I would have thought.

Their air force and navy have serious problems with obtaining spares and upgrades to aircraft, vessels, weapon systems and ammunition. The country has no cash, no credit and tons of debt. A sail training vessel and crew was held on the African coast for unpaid harbour fees a few years ago.
The situation has worsened since then

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

The only person that knows exactly where a nuclear missile submarines are is the captain. General area OK the Admiralty but exactly...

Its not nuclear and has to surface at times.

Correct AO. These subs are ancient Diesel Electric class.
I recall reading about 2 years ago that the recommended monthly submerged training recommendation of 40 hours had been stretched by their naval authority to an annual recommendation.
And we complain about military cuts back home!!!!

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Without wishing to be too callous, isn't that the whole purpose of a submarine that no one knows exactly where it is.

The only person that knows exactly where nuclear missile submarines are is the captain. General area OK the Admiralty but exactly...

Maybe they are hiding from another submarine which may or may not be also patrolling the same waters

That other submarines Captain may be Sean Connery

http://www.f-e-t.com/images/uploads/...s-brochure.pdf

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Without wishing to be too callous, isn't that the whole purpose of a submarine that no one knows exactly where it is.

The only person that knows exactly where nuclear missile submarines are is the captain. General area OK the Admiralty but exactly...

Maybe they are hiding from another submarine which may or may not be also patrolling the same waters

That's a rather long bow to draw.
They had a fire on board, and I think the concern is well-founded.

Originally Posted by Fluke

That other submarines Captain may be Sean Connery

Yeah, a Hunt For Red October reference was my first thought.

HMS Conquerer has been decommissioned, so she can't be blamed.

Originally Posted by mackayae

HMS Conquerer has been decommissioned, so she can't be blamed.

And Ted who pushed the button on Thatchers orders is still alive and lives down the road from me, he's very old now, struggling to be mobile.
So he's no longer a threat, the crew are old and retired.

Originally Posted by wasabi

And Ted who pushed the button on Thatchers orders is still alive and lives down the road from me, he's very old now, struggling to be mobile.
So he's no longer a threat, the crew are old and retired.

Was he also on ‘that’ balcony, with a mask on, freeing hostages?
FFS

Originally Posted by wasabi

And Ted who pushed the button on Thatchers orders is still alive and lives down the road from me, he's very old now, struggling to be mobile.
So he's no longer a threat, the crew are old and retired.

I would like to have a beer or two with Ted. I bet he has some stories to tell.

It's very easy to meet up with Ted as he attends all the " Submariners " old boys meet ups that they organise at ports all over the island. Just attended one of those retired " Submariners " getogethers.

David44 sending a cryptic message...

Hope it ends well...

Which has nothing to do with the video being displayed...

Argentina missing navy sub tried contacting base - CNN

I would think it is quite possible that our English friends may have a sub or 2 in the region. Just on a practise run to port stanley for a spot of fishing or whale watching. Dont know whether their Argentinian friends would be asking them for any help though.

Hope it ends well with the crew found alive and well. Seen a lot of WW1-2 footage of the U-Boat crews and the horrendous casualty rates they had at the end of both campaigns. Pushes all my claustrophobic panic buttons, and can't think of a more frightening demise, tbh.

^ Same here. Makes me feel sick just to think about it.

Hope those men are found in good health.

Originally Posted by Hugh Cow

Dont know whether their Argentinian friends would be asking them for any help though.

One would think lots of help has been offered. Although finding it may be the biggest problem.

Originally Posted by kmart

Seen a lot of WW1-2 footage of the U-Boat crews and the horrendous casualty rates they had at the end of both campaigns. .

You might like to discuss that point with some of the merchant navy and merchant marine.