The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released a report on the 2024 sinking of the fishing vessel Argos Georgia off the Falkland Islands, resulting in the loss of 13 lives. On July 21, the vessel, with 27 crew members aboard, reported severe flooding about 200 miles from Port Stanley. As rescue efforts commenced, the situation worsened, forcing the crew to abandon ship. Tragically, some crew members were lost at sea, while others perished from exposure in liferafts. Ultimately, 14 survived.
The MAIB’s investigation pinpointed issues with the shell door in the trawler’s hauling compartment, which failed to close properly, allowing water to flood in. CCTV footage revealed the door descending slowly, exacerbating the flooding. With the hatches open, water quickly accumulated, leading to the vessel’s significant list and eventual sinking.
In response, the MAIB issued an interim warning to fishing vessel operators to inspect shell doors and assess flood risks. An engineering evaluation of Argos Georgia’s shell door design revealed critical stress points that could lead to failure. The MAIB has recommended design revisions and plans to share findings with other operators. A final report is forthcoming.
