Trump touts aid to Argentina in search for missing submarine

President Trump on Wednesday touted how he made the order to help Argentina as it races to find a navy submarine that went missing last week.

“I have long given the order to help Argentina with the Search and Rescue mission of their missing submarine,” Trump wrote in a tweet.

I have long given the order to help Argentina with the Search and Rescue mission of their missing submarine. 45 people aboard and not much time left. May God be with them and the people of Argentina!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 22, 2017

The vessel last made radio contact on Nov. 15. The submarine was off the coast of Patagonia on a routine security patrol, according to reports.

{mosads}

Ships and aircraft from at least seven nations reportedly searched off the coast of Argentina for the ARA San Juan, which is believed to be about 240 nautical miles off the coast as it traveled from the Patagonian city of Ushuaia to Mar del Plata to its home base in Mar del Plata.

The vessel’s captain had radioed in a “failure” in the sub’s battery system as well as a “short circuit” shortly before it disappeared, Argentine navy spokesman Gabriel Galeazzi said Monday, according to a CNN report.

The United States, Chile and United Kingdom offered logistical support, The New York Times reported last week, citing Argentina’s foreign ministry.

The possibility of running out of oxygen increases the longer the sub remains below the surface.

“This phase of search and rescue is critical,” Argentine navy spokesman Enrique Balbi said this week, according to reports.

Sailors who have previously served aboard submarines told The New York Times that a seven day disappearance is very unusual.

Officials also expressed concern to the news outlet about the survival of the crew members because the sub was equipped with a backup system that should’ve allowed it to send a distress signal in the event that the main communication equipment failed.