Tragic Sinking of Argos Georgia: Investigation Reveals Key Failures
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released a critical report detailing the sinking of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia, which tragically occurred off the Falkland Islands in July 2024, resulting in the loss of 13 lives. The vessel, which set sail from Port Stanley with 27 crew members, encountered severe flooding approximately 200 miles from shore. As the situation escalated, the crew was forced to abandon ship, leading to a harrowing rescue operation.
Details of the Incident
On July 21, 2024, the Argos Georgia departed from Port Stanley, embarking on a fishing expedition with a full crew of 27. The vessel reported a serious flooding incident in the afternoon, prompting immediate rescue efforts. However, conditions worsened rapidly, and the crew had to evacuate into life rafts. Tragically, some crew members were lost at sea during the evacuation, while others succumbed to exposure while awaiting rescue. Ultimately, only 14 of the 27 crew members survived and were brought back to shore.
The MAIB launched an investigation to determine the cause of the sinking. Initial findings pointed to significant issues with the shell door, an exterior hatch located in the hauling compartment for the trawler’s nets. CCTV footage revealed that the shell door was initially closed but then began to descend slowly, allowing water to flood the compartment. Once opened, the door proved too difficult for crew members to close, resulting in uncontrolled water ingress. Additionally, hatches leading from the hauling compartment to the vessel’s interior were open, exacerbating the flooding and causing the Argos Georgia to list dangerously.
Investigation Findings and Recommendations
The MAIB’s investigation quickly led to an interim warning issued to all fishing vessel operators, urging them to inspect their side shell doors and assess the risks associated with potential shell door failures. This warning included a focus on the dangers of progressive flooding through hatches and other openings into different compartments of the vessel.
Further analysis of the Argos Georgia’s shell door design revealed concerning levels of stress and potential failure points in the door’s drive shaft, coupling, and key during operations. The investigation highlighted that if the opening and closing mechanism failed, there was no safety backstop, allowing the door to fall open uncontrollably.
In response to these findings, the MAIB recommended that the designer of the shell door revise the design and share the results with other operators of vessels featuring similar mechanisms. A final report detailing the complete findings of the investigation is expected to be released soon, emphasizing the need for improved safety measures in the fishing industry.
