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Concerns about stranded crew and questions regarding position of Maritime Authority of Talcahuano
After the fatal accident during the supply of the 'Manantial', which has been languishing for seven years off the coast of Talcahuano, in the Bío Bío region, council members and residents warned that the rest of the crew were living in precarious conditions inside the vessel, relying, for example, on food donated by fishermen or neighbours. The vessel had a detention order issued by the 2nd Civil Court of the municipality due to a debt that led to a lawsuit against the owner. This debt was paid in 2020, and therefore the case was now closed and archived. However, Ángel Badilla, one of the owners and crew members, asserted that the only reason they could not set sail was an order issued by the Maritime Authority. The ship was currently under appeal at the highest court to be completely released. But the port captain, José Egaña, declared the ship abandoned two years ago. A ruling was expected stating that the ship has never been abandoned, allowing the ship to be towed to Callao. The Maritime Authority of Talcahuano insisted on only addressing the search for the missing crew member, avoiding questions regarding the crew's health and whether or not they knew the conditions in which the vessel has remained for seven years in Concepción Bay. Report with photo: https://www.biobiochile.cl/noticias/nacional/region-del-bio-bio/2026/10/06/condiciones-precarias-preocupacion-por-tripulacion-de-buque-atrapado-hace-7-anos-en-talcahuano.shtml
Crew member presumed to have died when boat capszied during supply trip
A Zodiac boat with two crew members of the 'El Manantial', which has been stranded off the coast of Isla de Los Reyes beach in Talcahuano due to legal disputes since 2019, capsized while returning to the ship after resupplying with food and water. The incident caused both men to fall into the sea. One of the men was rescued by maritime personnel and taken to Las Higueras Hospital, while the second crew member remained missing. The Chilean Navy conducted a search operation to locate him. The trip was a routine they had been performing approximately every ten days since the vessel got stuck. Meanwhile, a third crew member remained on board, generating concern among local authorities regarding the living conditions, especially regarding his food and medical care. The 'El Manantial' was being held due to a legal dispute between the Chilean company Ultramar and the Mobbing Shipping, the ship's owner. The conflict arose from a complaint filed by Ultramar regarding non-payment for towing services provided to the Ecuadorian vessel after it suffered damage in Corral. The Second Civil Court of Talcahuano ordered the vessel's detention and, due to safety concerns related to weather conditions, authorised its transfer to the bay. In 2024, the 'El Manantial' broke lose from its anchorage and went adrift. The Talcahuano Port Authority assisted in the emergency, achieving a controlled beaching on the Los Reyes beach.
Detained ship troubled in storm
On July 16, 2026, amidst a frontal system affecting the Biobío coastline, the 'Manantial', which was under a national quarantine and anchored in the Concepción Bay off Isla de los Reyes beach in Talcahuano, dragged amchor and went adrift. The Talcahuano Port Authority deployed the offshore tugs 'Ritoque' and 'Tal-Tal'. Despite their efforts, the tugs were unable to connect to the vessel. However, they did manage to guide its movement safely for a controlled grounding in the Los Reyes beach area, where it got stuck with a heavy list to port aide. The two crew members, who had remained on board, were safely evacuated by the Port Authority of Talcahuano.The Directorate General of Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine was monitoring the vessel and maintained constant surveillance of the situation. The 'Manantial' had been detained in Chilean waters since 2019, as a result of a legal dispute between Ultramar and the ship's ownerMobbing Shipping. The Chilean company reported non-payment for towing services provided to the vessel, which had suffered damage while operating in Corral. Following the legal action, the Second Civil Court of Talcahuano ordered the vessel's detention. For safety reasons, particularly due to inclement weather, its transfer to the bay where was anchored was authorised approximately seven years ago. As a result, since September 2019, the 'Manantial' was banned from sailing in compliance with the current court order. Reports with photos: https://portalportuario.cl/autoridad-maritima-monitorea-estado-del-buque-manantial-en-bahia-de-talcahuano/ https://www.armada.cl/capitania-de-puerto-de-talcahuano-coordina-emergencia-en-bahia-de
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