Fisherman seconds from safety slips from helicopter in Falklands rescue attempt

Bristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters

A search-and-rescue helicopter crew were forced to abandon a sailor from a fishing boat that sank off the Falkland Islands after he fell from the aircraft’s winch while just seconds from safety.

The FV Argos Georgia foundered about 220 miles east of the Falklands after capsizing in 30ft (8m) waves last July.

Although rescuers reached the site, tragedy struck when an unconscious casualty fell 80ft back into the South Atlantic despite the helicopter crew’s “herculean efforts” to save him.

A shortage of fuel meant that they were forced to leave the fisherman and return to base.

The Falklands Islands government has now praised the four-strong Bristow helicopter crew for doing “everything they possibly could to rescue the mariners” aboard the Argos Georgia.

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Details of the night-time tragedy – and the helicopter crew’s heroism – emerged in an Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report published this month.

The Bristow-operated AW189 helicopter was scrambled on July 22 to the scene of the sinking, being guided into position by an RAF A400M Atlas aircraft that had pinpointed the spot.

Efforts to hoist away four sailors who were clinging to the sinking hull of their 2,000-tonne boat were thwarted by “challenging operating conditions” including 30ft waves and gusting winds of up to almost 60mph.

The AAIB report said: “As they prepared to depart, a person was spotted floating in the water near the aircraft’s nose.

“The casualty was face-up with arms and legs outstretched in a star shape, showing no movement other than that caused by the swell.

“As the casualty was lifted clear of the water his left arm slipped out of the rescue strop.

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“The winchman maintained the strop in place with physical force and the casualty was brought to the aircraft door.”

However, he casualty “slipped out of the strop” and fell 80ft back into the sea because of the weight of seawater that his immersion suit had absorbed and a covering of fuel oil from the sinking boat.

The report said: “With their time on scene exceeded by two minutes, the crew had no choice but to depart for Stanley.”

Nine people perished out of the 27 people aboard the Argos Georgia. Four were declared missing, presumed dead. It is believed that the sailor who nearly made it into the helicopter was one of those who died.

Ten of the crew were from Spain, eight were Russians, five were from Indonesia and the others were from Uruguay and Peru.

A spokesman for Bristow Helicopters said: “Our search and rescue teams in the Falkland Islands, and across the globe, often work in perilous, life-at-risk circumstances.

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“On this occasion the severe weather conditions, 30ft waves and remote location of the stricken vessel seriously hampered the response and, from the outset, the helicopter search and rescue crew knew they would be very limited in what they could do.

“Nonetheless, they flew to the scene determined to help and, at considerable personal risk and with just minutes’ worth of fuel available, did everything they possibly could to rescue the mariners.

“We are immensely proud of the commitment, dedication and skill they displayed that night.

“Our hearts go out to the friends and families of everyone who was affected by this tragic event.”

The Falklands Islands government hailed the helicopter crew’s “bravery” and “herculean efforts” to rescue the fishermen.

Chris Moorey, the islands’ head of maritime, said: “However no official report of this nature can fully convey what they did then, and the Falkland Islands Government would like to express profound gratitude to them for their efforts, both on that immensely challenging occasion but also for what the Search and Rescue helicopter team routinely do for the civilian community across the Falkland Islands.”