The Ara-Austral: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The ongoing search for the missing ARA 'San Juan' submarine has taken a new twist, as recent sound detections by probes in the South Atlantic have been confirmed not to originate from the lost vessel. The sounds, which were detected approximately 360 kilometers off the Argentine coast at a depth of around 200 meters, have been identified as likely 'biological' in nature rather than artificial noise from the submarine itself. This revelation comes amidst a coordinated rescue operation involving a US Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft, which has been deployed to assist in pinpointing the source of the detected sounds. Currently, over a dozen international ships and aircraft are participating in this extensive search, although efforts have been hampered by treacherous weather conditions, with waves reaching heights of up to six meters. In a significant update regarding the submarine's condition, an Argentine navy official has disclosed that the ARA 'San Juan' reported a battery failure on November 15 while attempting to return to its base in Mar del Plata. This malfunction ultimately led to the vessel going missing. Initial reports of brief satellite calls over the weekend had sparked hope among family members and officials, as they were mistakenly believed to represent the crew's attempts to re-establish communication. However, following analysis, it was confirmed that the seven low-frequency satellite signals were not from the submarine. While the ARA 'San Juan' was equipped with sufficient supplies—food, oxygen, and fuel—to sustain its crew for around 90 days on the surface, the vessel only has enough oxygen for approximately seven days when submerged. The search continues, highlighting the urgency and critical nature of this operation as the maritime community holds its breath for further developments.

On November 20, search teams registered a potential distress signal that might be linked to the missing Argentine submarine, ARA 'San Juan'. Two ships operating in the area detected a sonar signature resembling the sound of tools being struck against the hull. Despite being faint and intermittent, this signal has allowed the Argentine Navy to refine their search efforts to a targeted region of approximately 35 square miles, situated about 300 nautical miles off Patagonia's coast. Amid challenging conditions featuring 20-foot waves, approximately 20 vessels from Argentina, the UK, and Chile are tirelessly searching for the submarine, which is reported to have only a week's worth of oxygen on board. If the 'San Juan' is still operational and submerged, the severe sea conditions would prevent it from surfacing. The last known communication with the submarine suggested a 'failure' or 'short circuit' within its battery system; however, officials deemed this issue non-critical at that moment, with all crew members having been reported safe. After receiving instructions to return to its home base in Mar del Plata for repairs, the submarine lost contact later that same day and has remained unresponsive since. Previously, on November 18, the Argentine Navy reported seven unsuccessful satellite communication attempts, which were ultimately dismissed as false alarms. Authorities concluded that these signals were likely emanating from another vessel transmitting on the frequency typically used by the 'San Juan'. In response to the continuing search, the U.S. Navy has deployed two complete sets of submarine rescue equipment to the search area. The Undersea Rescue Command from San Diego sent two distinct rescue systems designed for the varying underwater depths near South America's southeastern coast. Four cargo planes carrying equipment for the first system, a McCann rescue chamber utilized since World War II, arrived in Argentina on November 19. This chamber can assist up to six individuals at depths of 850 feet. Meanwhile, a second rescue solution, the Pressurized Rescue Module, is scheduled to arrive in Argentina via additional flights in the upcoming week. Capable of diving to 2,000 feet and engaging with a submerged submarine positioned at a 45-degree angle, this module can rescue up to 16 personnel at a time. Both systems operate with two crew members and securely attach to a submarine's hatch to facilitate safe transfers to the rescue chamber.

The investigation into the disappearance of the Argentinian submarine 'San Juan' has intensified as oceanographic vessels 'Ara Austral' and 'Puerto Deseado' have entered the designated search area. These ships are operating with a dedicated team of scientists from CONICETDialoga, UBA, and Segemar, all aiming to uncover the mysteries surrounding the submarine's fate. The 'Ara Austral' is outfitted with a state-of-the-art Kongsberg EM 122 multi-beam echo sounder, which can accurately measure depths up to 11,000 meters with a remarkable precision rate of 99.9%. Both vessels departed from Mar del Plata on the morning of November 18, 2017. Unfortunately, as of November 20, the search has not yielded any significant leads, with the initial signals detected on November 18 likely originating from unrelated sources. On that date, seven unclear satellite signals were intercepted by the Argentinian Navy; however, U.S. satellite firm Iridium Communications has since clarified that these signals were not from the 'San Juan' but potentially from other satellite technologies. Additionally, on November 18, the International Submarine Escape and Rescue Liaison Office (ISMERLO) suggested they had identified the 'San Juan' approximately 300 kilometers east of Puerto Madryn, submerged at about 70 meters, though this information remains unverified. A comprehensive Search and Rescue (SAR) operation is currently underway in the vicinity of the submarine's last known location, incorporating all available naval and aerial assets, alongside merchant and fishing vessels in the area. The 'San Juan' was carrying 44 crew members when it went missing on November 15. Although initial assessments hinted at a possible battery fire as the cause of the submarine's troubles, these reports have not been substantiated by recent updates. Compounding the rescue effort's challenges, the submarine's emergency beacon did not surface, preventing the identification of its precise location. In light of the ongoing situation, valuable assistance has been pledged by Chile, Uruguay, Brazil, Peru, the United States, Great Britain, and South Africa since the submarine's disappearance in the waters near Puerto Madryn. The TR-1700-class diesel-electric submarine has been a key component of the Argentine Navy since its construction at Thyssen Nordseewerke in Emden back in 1983, boasting a displacement of 2,140 tonnes surfaced and 2,336 tonnes submerged, and armed with torpedoes.