The Chinese-flagged fishing vessel ‘Zhongyuanyu 11’ collided with the Spanish trawler ‘Pesca Vaqueiro’, some 16 km off southern Argentina, Friday, according to data provided by the Argentine Navy. The Chinese vessel sank as a result from the incident off Comodoro Rivadavia city, in the province of Chubut.
The Argentine Naval Prefecture (PNA) responded to the incident, when it received a distress signal, and diverted the USCG cutter GC-24 Mantilla, which was patrolling approximately 80 nm to the north, to rendezvous with the ‘Zhongyuanyu 11’ in assistance.
However, the Chinese vessel sank prior the cutter’s arrival and about 30 fishermen onboard were rescued by the ‘Pesca Vaqueiro’.
The Vaqueiro tranferred the survivors at the Port of Montevideo, Uruguay. There were no reported injuries.
The Vaqueiro suffered minor damage at its bow.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident.
