In the afternoon of the past 22 July, the Argentine Navy, as responsible authority under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue of 1979 (SAR Convention), was informed that the fishing vessel "Argos Georgia" reported damage and water ingress while sailing 190 nautical miles to the east of the Malvinas Islands. According to the responsibilities outlined by the International Maritime Organization within the SAR Convention, Argentina is in charge of search and rescue activities in a large area of the South Atlantic, including that where the shipwreck took place.
In this context, the National SAR Agency requested information from the Puerto Argentino Coordination Sub-Centre (MRSC Malvinas), which reports to the Ushuaia Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Ushuaia). Both the communications and the coordination of air and maritime search and rescue activities between the National SAR Agency and the MRSC Malvinas are subject to the sovereignty formula under the Joint Declarations of Argentina and the United Kingdom of February 1990, September 1991 and July 1993.
With two aircraft, a helicopter, a patrol vessel and the aid of two fishing boats that were in the area, the Sub-Centre MRSC Malvinas came to the rescue of the crew members, who were of different nationalities. As a result of the search and rescue work, 14 crew members were rescued alive and 9 dead, while other 4 are still missing. In the morning of 24 July, the search and rescue efforts were suspended due to the weather forecast, only to be later resumed once the weather conditions improved. MRCC Ushuaia made itself available in case assistance was required, including medical attention on the mainland. In addition, on 25 July, the Spanish Government requested authorization to arrange a repatriation flight for the Spanish nationals, which was granted.
The Argentine Government is aware that the distressed vessel "Argos Georgia" is one of those that engaged in irregular fishing of Patagonian toothfish in FAO Subarea 48.3, where there are no conservation rules for fishing imposed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Nevertheless, in view of this humanitarian emergency, the Argentine Government conveys its condolences to the families of the victims and expresses its constant willingness to assist in the submission of paperwork to national authorities.
