Argentine Navy loses contact with sub-44 on board

The Argentine Navy has launched a search for the ARA San Juan, a German built diesel electric sub with a crew of 44. A Navy spokesperson said that the last contact was on Wednesday, and even alternate methods failed to raise the sub. The sub reportedly had an electrical problem at the time.

The San Juan was commissioned in 1985, and underwent an overhaul in 2014.

www.defensenews.com...

I can think of few worse ways to go than to be lost at sea in a submarine. I hope they find her.

a reply to: ketsuko

With the crew still alive

a reply to: Macenroe82

I thought that was implied, but exactly!

is this the kind of situation our submarine rescue subs would excell at? i mean if we could find it ,or do others in the region have comparable tech to help a sub in distress and possibly rescue the crew if found?

a reply to: RalagaNarHallas

I don't believe anyone in the region has anything that could get the crew out if they're found alive. There are a couple teams in Europe, and our DSRV that could be on scene within about 24-36 hours from the go order.

a reply to: RalagaNarHallas

It can work. I recall the Russian sub that went down where they flew in a submersible and got the crew off finally (I think or maybe they didn't because the Russians didn't want help), but they also knew exactly where it was from the very start.

It likely depends on if they can find it and where it is -- how deep.

news.sky.com... the UK is offering to help look for the sub

Ships and aircraft have been scrambled to search for the vessel - named ARA San Juan - in the southern Argentine Sea. Sky News Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said the British Government has offered to assist, with an A C130 Hercules stationed in the Falklands Islands on standby if required.

en.wikipedia.org...(S-42) wiki page for the submarine guess its listed endurance is 30 days, i dont know if that means that is how long it can stay under water or before it needs resupply? the wiki also states nasa has a P3 Orion looking for it as well . it seems they can accept attachments from DSV rescue vehicles so that is a plus . wiki for the class of sub says contact was lost after and electrical fire

If it is an electrical problem, it may be DIW on the surface. There are few things that could make it sink uncontrollably if it is purely loss of electrical power. Certainly, they would never try to submerge with any kind of problem.

Usually, there are emergency beacons and crank-up radio generators, if they had have such equipment. They are usually packaged in the life rafts.

I certainly hope that they are all ok. If they are on the bottom, it better be above crush depth, as conventional boats probably cannot maintain hull integrity lower than 900ft. God be with them.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Lord help them.....how long can they survive with just battery?

a reply to: pavil

It depends on a number of factors. I wouldn't put it much over a week or so, less if they lost most of their power. If their environmental systems are good, and they snorkeled recently, maybe longer, but not much.

As a Brit my fist thought on seeing this was; was she steaming anywhere near the Falklands? I know from previous experience that an offer to assist with the search or recovery from us is not us saying we had nothing to do with it.

Argentine Navy had been asked if the submarine was loaded with weapons. They didn't answer yet. The "Ara San Juan" has capacity to carry missiles. It must be located one way or another.

Also, the submarine had major repairs years ago. They had to cut it in 2 pieces in order to take out the motors and replace them.

Even NASA assisting now :

Argentina accepted an offer from the United States for a NASA P-3 explorer aircraft, which had been stationed in the southern city of Ushuaia and was preparing to depart to Antarctica, to make an exploratory flight over the search area

www.abc.net.au...

a reply to: Trueman

I'd love to see them bring the Triton down to search for slicks or anything on the surface. That would be a huge bonus for them.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: Trueman

I'd love to see them bring the Triton down to search for slicks or anything on the surface. That would be a huge bonus for them.

Definitely this is a situation that will be an example in case of future similar events. Seems like Argentine Navy is following all the protocols established but also open to foreign assistance.

Got to close to the falklands.
bump't a uk sub! now lost.

There's hope

Argentina’s Defense Ministry said Saturday night that it had detected seven communication attempts throughout the day from an Argentine Navy submarine with 44 crew members aboard that has been missing since Wednesday.

“We received seven signals from satellite calls that originated from the San Juan submarine,” the defense minister, Oscar Aguad, wrote on Twitter. “We are working hard to locate it and we are transmitting hope to the families of the 44 crew members: that they’ll soon be able to have them in their homes.”


The Defense Ministry said it is working in with an American company that specializes in satellite communication to determine the exact location of the signals.

“This changes everything,” said Fernando Morales, a Navy expert and vice president of the Argentine Navy League. “It’s a very hopeful sign because it suggests at least several crew members are alive.”

a reply to: pavil

That would be great if they were able to recover even some of the crew alive.

originally posted by: Trueman
Argentine Navy had been asked if the submarine was loaded with weapons. They didn't answer yet. The "Ara San Juan" has capacity to carry missiles.

San Juan is only torpedo equipped.