This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/17/world/americas/argentina-submarine-missing.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Search Underway for Argentine Navy Submarine With 44 Search Underway for Argentine Navy Submarine With 44 Aboard
(about 7 hours later)
BUENOS AIRES — Military ships and aircraft searched off the coast of Argentina on Friday for an Argentine Navy submarine missing for two days, officials said.BUENOS AIRES — Military ships and aircraft searched off the coast of Argentina on Friday for an Argentine Navy submarine missing for two days, officials said.
The vessel, which was patrolling off Patagonia with 44 crew members, last made radio contact on Wednesday, Capt. Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the Argentine Navy, said in a television interview. The vessel, which was patrolling off Patagonia with 44 crew members, last made radio contact on Wednesday morning, Capt. Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the Argentine Navy, said in a television interview.
Two planes were deployed Thursday afternoon to begin searching for the submarine, ARA San Juan, one of three in Argentina’s fleet. Rescuers were hindered by poor visibility and they resumed the search Friday morning using vessels as well as aircraft. Two planes were deployed Thursday afternoon to begin searching for the submarine, the San Juan, one of three in Argentina’s fleet. Rescuers were hindered by poor visibility and they resumed the search Friday morning using vessels as well as aircraft.
The submarine’s last known location was 240 nautical miles off the coast, according to the Navy.The submarine’s last known location was 240 nautical miles off the coast, according to the Navy.
The ARA San Juan was traveling from the Patagonian city of Ushuaia to Mar del Plata, in Buenos Aires province, conducting a routine security patrol. Submarines often ply the Argentine coast to detect illegal fishing. The San Juan was traveling from the Patagonian city of Ushuaia to Mar del Plata, in Buenos Aires province, conducting a routine security patrol. Submarines often ply the Argentine coast to detect illegal fishing.
One of the crew members is Eliana María Krawczyk, Argentina’s first female submarine officer. Her father, Eduardo Krawczyk, told the Todo Noticias news network on Friday that the family was hoping for the best. Sailors who served aboard submarines called the lengthy disappearance highly unusual.
“This has never happened to us before,” said Pedro Alcaraz, a 30-year submarine veteran who retired in 1997 as a chief petty officer. “We’ve lost communication for many different reasons, but never for this long.”
The United States, Chile and United Kingdom offered logistical support, according to Argentina’s foreign ministry. But so far no foreign militaries have joined the search, according to a Defense Ministry official.
One of the crew members, Eliana María Krawczyk, is Argentina’s first female submarine officer. Her father, Eduardo Krawczyk, told the Todo Noticias network on Friday that the family was hoping for the best.
“Let’s pray together for everything to be resolved and for nothing to have happened to anyone in the crew,” he said. “In the sea, they’re all brothers. It’s not like a boat that sails on the surface. Submarines have greater risks.”“Let’s pray together for everything to be resolved and for nothing to have happened to anyone in the crew,” he said. “In the sea, they’re all brothers. It’s not like a boat that sails on the surface. Submarines have greater risks.”
The rescue mission on Friday included two ships, the destroyer ARA Sarandi, which has a helicopter onboard, and the corvette ARA Rosales. Argentine officials also asked civilian vessels in the area to monitor for possible radio signals from the submarine. The rescue mission on Friday included two ships, the destroyer Sarandi, which has a helicopter onboard, and the corvettes Rosales and Drummond. Argentine officials also asked civilian vessels in the area to monitor for possible radio signals from the sub.
Navy officials attempted to downplay the situation after local news outlets broke news of the search early Friday morning. Navy officials attempted to downplay the severity of the situation after news outlets broke news of the search early Friday morning.
“We are not talking about an emergency right now, but rather we are handling it as a loss of communication with the submarine,” Rear Adm. Gabriel Martín González, who oversees submarine crews, told reporters gathered outside the naval base in Mar del Plata.“We are not talking about an emergency right now, but rather we are handling it as a loss of communication with the submarine,” Rear Adm. Gabriel Martín González, who oversees submarine crews, told reporters gathered outside the naval base in Mar del Plata.
Relatives of the crew expressed alarm, however.Relatives of the crew expressed alarm, however.
“We don’t know anything, we’re totally desperate,” Cristina Gallardo, whose brother, Javier Gallardo, is a crew member, told a Mar del Plata radio station, Radio Brisas. “The only thing they’re telling us is that they’re still searching for the submarine.”“We don’t know anything, we’re totally desperate,” Cristina Gallardo, whose brother, Javier Gallardo, is a crew member, told a Mar del Plata radio station, Radio Brisas. “The only thing they’re telling us is that they’re still searching for the submarine.”
According to protocol, submarines that lose the ability to communicate must surface, Captain Balbi, the Navy spokesman, said. If the ARA San Juan managed to do that, its crew could survive for weeks. According to protocol, submarines that lose the ability to communicate must surface, Captain Balbi, the Navy spokesman, said. If the San Juan managed to do that, its crew could survive for weeks.
But concern is growing over the crew’s fate, especially since their vessel had backup systems if the main communications equipment failed, and should have been able to send a distress signal.
“As the hours tick on, one starts to be inclined to think we may be talking about a tragedy — but there is still hope,” said Fernando Morales, a navy expert and vice president of the Argentine Navy League. “For now what we’re speculating is that it is floating” and has not sunk.
If weather conditions are poor it could be difficult for an airplane or ship to spot a submarine, Mr. Morales explained.
Captain Balbi said it was not known if whether the vessel had surfaced. Submarines can travel underwater for a couple of days, he said, before needing to surface so its diesel engines can recharge its batteries.Captain Balbi said it was not known if whether the vessel had surfaced. Submarines can travel underwater for a couple of days, he said, before needing to surface so its diesel engines can recharge its batteries.
The Argentine Navy purchased the ARA San Juan, a German-made submarine, in 1985. Some experts were quick to point out that Argentina’s armed forces as a whole had suffered from steep budget cuts over the past decade.
“Budget cuts take a toll on preparedness, equipment maintenance and training,” explained Ralph Espach, analyst at CNA, a think tank in Alexandria, Va. “A lot of military budgets go to salaries and pensions so when cuts happen they have to come from operations and equipment.”
Although he characterized the situation as “worrisome,” Mr. Espach emphasized that “there’s a decent chance it’s sitting out there waiting to be seen because it’s hard to find things on the open sea.”
Argentina’s defense minister, Oscar Aguad, cut short a trip to Vancouver Thursday and traveled straight to Mar del Plata to directly oversee the rescue operations, the Defense Ministry said.
The Argentine Navy purchased the San Juan, a German-made submarine, in 1985.