HMS Protector is joining the search for an Argentine Navy submarine that has been out of contact for days.

On the 17th of November 2017 it was announced that San Juan had not been heard from for over 48 hours and that search and rescue operations had been launched some 200 nautical miles southeast of San Jorge Gulf.

The contact was lost when the submarine was en route from the Ushuaia naval base to the Mar del Plata base.

Argentine Navy spokesman Enrique Balbi told a news conference:

“We have not been able to find, or have visual or radar communication with the submarine.”

Protocol in the Argentine Navy dictates that a submarine must come to the surface if communication is lost.

The submarine entered service on 19 November 1985. Her mid-life update was carried out in Argentina between 2008 and 2013.

The last known position of the sub is believed to be off the south-eastern Valdez peninsula.

There are at least 44 people on board the missing submarine. Among them is Argentina’s first female submarine officer, Eliana María Krawczyk.

A NASA P-3 Orion equipped with a magnetometer, gravimeter, and other sensors, was redirected from Operation Ice Bridge to aid in the search and the United Kingdom offered assistance in the form of a C130 Hercules based in the Falkland Islands.

The US Navy was also sending a P-8 currently in El Salvador on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

 

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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dadsarmy
dadsarmy
6 years ago

“Protocol in the Argentine Navy dictates that a submarine must come to the surface if communication is lost.”

There is a storm in the area, 45mph winds, so perhaps the sub is staying dowin in calmer waters till the storm abates. Let’s hope so.

george
george
6 years ago

amazing ship but why are we helping Argentina

Jack
Jack
6 years ago

There are quite a few assets in the region now, we can only hope a positive result is achieved.
What is worrying is the maintenance standards in the Argentine Navy seem to be poor, as has been reported by ukdj from time to time.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/argentina-unsure-whether-signals-came-missing-submarine-n822336

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
6 years ago

Given that it’s over 30 years old and the endurance of diesel electric submarines is limited to days in sub surface operations I would say the chances of a successful conclusion to this incident are very remote.

The state of the Argentine military is currently very poor and they pose little threat to the Falklands islanders.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago

I guess it would take too long to get NSRS down there?
If it was flown down from Prestwick on a C17 what ship could take it?

Harry Nelson
Harry Nelson
6 years ago

I’m sure the US system has been deployed?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
6 years ago
Reply to  Harry Nelson

Yes I read.

David Steeper
6 years ago

With all the publicity over the last few months about the state of their equipment why on earth did they send a sub this far away from port ? Madness. Hope they’re found but either way someone should raise hell about the maniac who ordered this.

Mike Saul
Mike Saul
6 years ago

It is being reported that the last message from the submarine indicated that had suffered a major mechanical failure/breakdown.

Chances of finding anyone alive are now extremely remote.

Mark L
Mark L
6 years ago

Does anyone know why there were so many on board – training or something? I believe the normal crew is 26, but 44 were on board. Given the probable current state of maintenance given Argentinas situation might this have been asking too much of the submarine?

Nick Bowman
Nick Bowman
6 years ago

The Chilean Navy has a couple of Scorpene-class boats. They are more than likely the most capable submarine detection assets in the region…

Jameson
Jameson
6 years ago
Reply to  Nick Bowman

If we are lucky there is a t45 down there

Paul
Paul
6 years ago
Reply to  Jameson

Sorry, but I’m fairly certain that a T45 would be of no use in searching for a small submarine.

clive
clive
6 years ago

After so much time it is not looking as if this situation will have a good outcome.