PAPU MAR
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Container barge uncoupled from sunken tug
The company RN Salvamento assisted the 'Papu Mar' and the barge '240-4' on a complex and challenging rescue operation, responding immediately after the tug sank on the night of April 17 near Banco Chico, at kilometer 77 of the Punta Indio Channel. The barge, carrying 140 containers, had remained conncected to the sunken tug, posing a significant risk to the stability of the vessel and its cargo. RN Salvamento deployed the tug 'Ona Don Lorenzo' (IMO: 9328388) with technical personnel to assess the situation and assist the barge. Despite strong winds that complicated the operation, the team managed to secure the 'Papu Mar's mooring lines. Subsequently, after the tug completely sank, the tug 'Ona Triunfo' (IMO: 9274604) was deployed with rescue personnel to rehabilitate the barge's anchoring system. The barge was uncoupled from the sunken tug and towed to the port of Buenos Aires, where it arrived undamaged and with all its cargo intact. The company is currently finalizing contractual details for the refloating of the 'Papu Mar'. Report with photos: https://comexonline.com.ar/noticias/val/62541/operacion-de-rescate-exitosa-rn-salvamento-asiste-al-remolcador-papu-mar-en-apuros.html
Tug partially sank
The Argentine Naval Prefecture responded to an emergency declared by the captain of the 'Papu Mar', which was navigating at kilometer 77 of the Paso Banco Chico channel on April 20, 2025. Due to the ingress of water, the nine crew abandoned the vessel and took refuge on a barge, where they were later rescued by the National Maritime Authority. They were safely transferred to the Port of La Plata for medical attention. The 'Papu Mar' remained partially sunken and did not pose a danger to navigation on the main shipping route. The barge, carrying 153 containers, remained attached to the tug, and no cargo losses were reported. The Prefecture was conducting inspections and verifying possible environmental damage through an overflight. Meanwhile, the tug 'Ona Don Lorenzo' was assisting the barge to prevent it from drifting into the navigation channel. Report with photo: https://portalportuario.cl/prefectura-naval-argentina-rescata-a-tripulantes-de-remolcador-que-decreto-emergencia-en-canal-paso-banco-chico/
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