A rescue operation has been undertaken from the Falkland Islands to assist the longliner vessel Argos Georgia, which encountered trouble approximately 200 miles east of Stanley, MercoPress reported. The 2,000-ton vessel, with a crew of 27, began taking on water, prompting an urgent call for help.

The Falkland Islands Maritime Authority received the distress signal on Monday, July 22, in the afternoon local time. Rapid communication was established between the Falklands government, the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands government, the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) headquarters, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the vessel's owning company, and other nearby fishing vessels.

The situation onboard the Argos Georgia has reportedly worsened in recent hours. The coordinated rescue effort includes surface and aerial units such as the BFSAI's A400 aircraft, rescue helicopters, the Falklands' fisheries patrol vessel FPV Lilibet, and nearby fishing vessels.

Built in Turkey in 2018, the Argos Georgia is a 53.85-meter longliner operating under the British Overseas Territory flag of St Helena. The vessel is well-equipped for freezing its catch and boasts a gross capacity of 2,004 metric tons.

Argos Froyanes, which owns the vessel, fishes for Patagonian toothfish from April to September in the waters of South Georgia. Its fishery there is located around the Island and the plateau to the west, around Shag Rocks, according to the firm's website.