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Search for missing sailor suspended
The Naval Prefecture has concluded the search operation for Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, the 46-year-old sailor who went missing on June 30 after falling overboard from the 'Luca Mario', while fishing off the coast of Santa Cruz. For a week, authorities conducted an extensive operation that failed to locate him. Five vessels and a reconnaissance aircraft participated in the search, covering an area of more than 17,000 square kilometers in the waters of the Argentine Sea. Given the situation, the Prefecture called off the Search and Rescue (SAR) operation in accordance with international protocols governing such maritime emergencies. Following the end of the active search, the vessel began its return journey to Mar del Plata. Crew members would be required to give statements to judicial authorities as part of the investigation. The case was being handled by the Federal Prosecutor's Office of Caleta Olivia, which aims to determine how the sailor fell and whether there was any liability involved in the accident.
Search for missing fisherman suspended
There was still no sign of Juan Carlos Gutiérrez, the 46-year-old sailor who fell overboard from the 'Luca Mario' and disappeared near Puerto Deseado, in the province of Santa Cruz. On July 5 the official search by the Argentine Naval Prefecture concluded, and the case entered the pre-trial stage. Meanwhile, the crews of the fishing vessels 'Luca Mario' and 'Ponte de Rande', from the same company, continued searching for the missing fisherman. According to labour law and accident specialists, the main responsibility could fall on the Solimeno company, if a breach of safety and hygiene regulations is proven. Gutiérrez was from the city of Empedrado, Corrientes, and had worked for the fishing company for 24 years. On June 30 at around 5:00 p.m., the crew was hauling in the nets, when a problem arose on the side of the vessel where Gutiérrez was working, forcing them to continue hauling the net in from the other side. One of the ropes securing the edge of the net broke, and due to the momentum it had and its own weight, the net slid back out to sea. During this movement, one of Gutiérrez's boots became caught in the mesh. Three colleagues tried to grab him to prevent him from falling into the water, but it was impossible. From that moment, man overboard protocols were activated, and the captain of the 'Luca Mario' notified the maritime authority and the Argentine Naval Prefecture, which launched an SAR operation. The United Maritime Workers Union (SOMU) commented on the incident, accusing the captain of the 'Luca Mario' of ignoring Coast Guard warnings about the storm and continuing to fish for shrimp. The union's complaint could be added to the ongoing investigation. The SOMU's complaint prompted a response from the Argentine Association of Captains, Pilots, and Fishing Masters.
Search for missing crew member
On June 30, 2026, the Argentine Naval Prefecture launched an SAR operation to locate the 46-year-old crew member Juan Carlos Gutiérrez from the "Luca Mario," who fell overboard, while the ship was sailing 145 nautical miles off the coast of Puerto Deseado, in the Santa Cruz province. The emergency began when the vessel's captain alerted the Prefecture after losing sight of the crew member, who had been performing fishing duties on deck at the time of the incident. The man was wearing rubber boots, overalls, outerwear, a hard hat, and a life vest when he fell into the sea. The Prefecture immediately activated SAR protocols and notified vessels sailing in the area, asking them to assist with the search. In this context, and despite unfavourable weather and sea conditions, the fishing vessels 'Ponte de Rande' and 'Anabella M' arrived at the scene to join the search effort. Additionally, a Prefecture PA-25 aircraft flew over the area in an attempt to locate the missing crew member.
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