Specialist British Forces Team Join Search For Missing Argentine Sub

A specialist section of the British Forces has now joined in with the search for the missing vessel.

The Submarine Parachute Assistance Group (SPAG) have arrived at Mount Pleasant Airfield, and the jump element have now prepped their kit in readiness for any call out as part of the search for the ARA San Juan.

HMS Protector, a polar exploration vessel, is also in the area and will be stationed in the southern Argentine Sea to assist in searches. 

A spokesman for the British Navy said:

"Following a request from the Argentine government, HMS Protector has been deployed to join the search and rescue effort for the ARA San Juan."

Images released by NASA show the areas already searched by NASA aircraft.

These include a small area off the coast of Comodoro Rivadavia and a much larger area further north.

The images show that the aircraft passed over this stretch of water several times before abandoning its efforts, as well as searching an area slightly further South.

The US Navy has deployed unmanned underwater vehicles to join in the search for the Argentine navy submarine A.R.A. San Juan, which is missing in South Atlantic waters.

The US is also providing rapid response capabilities, including aircraft and personnel to assist Argentina in its search for the missing submarine.

One US Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft is already in Argentina, where it joined the NASA P-3 research aircraft supporting the search.

The Argentine navy says sounds picked up by sonar on Monday during the search for a missing submarine did not come from the vessel.

Navy officials had said the signals might indicate the location of the San Juan, but were careful not to raise expectations.

In the case of an emergency the crew will try to make noise to be detected, often by banging objects on the side of the submarine, however, this noise can often be mistaken for shrimp as they make metallic sounds too.

The sub, with 44 crew on board, gave its last signal on Wednesday after reporting an electric malfunction.