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Most of ARA Libertad crew should be arriving at Buenos Aires late Wednesday

Monday, October 22nd 2012 - 18:40 UTC
Full article 46 comments

Argentina confirmed on Monday that most of the crew from the training frigate ARA Libertad retained in Ghana is being evacuated and should arrive in Buenos Aires Wednesday night, in a chartered commercial aircraft. Only a small group of officers and 44 crew members will remain on the impounded vessel for maintenance work. Read full article

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  • ProRG_American

    A good opportunity to send the ARA and get it out.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 06:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conor J

    @2
    With what? Argie land does not have the balls to take the vessel by force.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 06:49 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    Air France. Something as good news for a change. The cadets are in very good hands. It will be interesting the reception they receive at home.

    44 sailors are not necessary to maintain the vessel, but more than enough to sail the ship. Something is brewing...

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 06:58 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    Well there is that Corvette that broke down whilst on excercise off S Africa (None military of course., Whooooosh!) must have repaired the boiler by now.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    They are waiting for twitman to send them good news from the UN..and waiting...and waiting....
    They will be home for christmas... without their ship

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • JuanGabriel

    Wonder If you could count the number of argentine vessels capable of ocean travel on one hand?

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • falklandlad

    AA Liberated crew flying home via Air France - what's the matter with Tango 01?
    Good to see Argentina getting the rough end of the stick for a while. Hopefully NML Capital and the Ghanian Court ruling will remain resolute and stick to their guns.
    And as for the “foreigners” on board - I thought they were “guest seafarers”...

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britninja

    On Abu Hamza's hand at this rate.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    Oh dear,
    Poor sad boat, you’ve lost your value and will be abandoned by your government.

    Still,
    The crew will be welcomed back with banners, parties , speeches by CFK ,

    And another victory will be announced.

    .

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Frank

    Tango One is unavoidably detained in the US......

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Britninja

    Maximo clogged the toilets again.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:17 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    Being repaired Frank, there's no part in Argentina......lol

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    How embarrassing can it get, they can not even send one of their own aircraft to fly these guys home, for fear of the bailiffs impounding it. They will probably fly the charter to a SA country where their aircraft are safe and transfer them. Man if I was one of these sailors I would hide my face in shame. Heroes welcome in BA you think? or will they sneak them home in the dead of night? the same way they did with their vets.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:22 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    With CFK

    Anything is possible..

    .

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @3 Chicureo

    “44 sailors are not necessary to maintain the vessel, but more than enough to sail the ship. Something is brewing...”

    I agree, could be a desperate, but incompetent “Raid on Entebbe” attempt.
    Could go embarrassingly wrong - army generals turn to be de-frocked by CFK.

    Meanwhile, 44 crew to carry jerry-cans of fuel from town to the boat...

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • reality check

    They want to be careful! paly silly buggers an a Ghanaen gets hurt, the shit will well and truly hit the fan, make no mistake!

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vectis

    They had feared that any plane they sent would also be impounded. from what i read they had asked Brazil and Chilean government to supply a plane, guess it is all humiliating having to grovel to another country.

    Tinman never got much out of the UN either apart from well trying to broker an agreement, in other words they are fucked and they know it

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    Troy,,

    We can just see the headlines,

    Argentina today illegally has re-stolen the ship,
    We have to day informed the UN and asked for an international response to get the ship back pronto.

    The UN calls for volunteers,

    And who steps up, the Royal Navy,
    Yes we will get the ship back, and arrest the crew,

    .

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vectis

    The Royal navy will send a sub to stop the vulture funds getting its hands on the ship and the crew, fire tube one

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:45 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • atk357

    @15 You made a good point. If an operation is brewing, then one wants as few sailors as possible and none foreign. ...They should have done it already, take over a couple of tugboats, and get the ship off during the night...

    On another note, if I were Mr. Cameron, I could offer to politely talk to the Ghana government to get the ship back, get it back (or else) and show CFK how much more embarrasing it is for her. That would not happen, but it would be nice to see her red face glowing!!!

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hook

    throw 'em to the sharks

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 07:59 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    Well I think any chance of sailing the Libertad away has long passed. The Ghanaian Navy could easily overtake and detain them.

    The Ghanaian ships might be old, but the have working engines, and could easily outstrip the Liberyad.

    In fact, the Ghanaian coast guard is probably patrolling the area just in case they try something stupid, and any injury or loss of life would be placed firmly on Argentina's shoulders.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @18 briton

    I hope it does not come to that.

    They've created a lot of publicity over this event and its backfired on them terribly.

    I don't want to gloat on this. I wish they had paid and taken their boat back. I am sure the Argentinian people are outraged and disappointed with their government. I feel sad for them.

    The good news is that CFK and cronies are publically embarrassed.

    IF they try to save face by sending in the ARA to make off with the ship, then I hope they get Royally screwed by our Navy. :-)

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 08:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • briton

    we can but wait and see.

    if there is something in the wind,

    lets hope it is blowing to right way,
    or they may end up on the pebbles..

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 08:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Conqueror

    @1 What ARA? But let's go with it. A legally-constituted court in a sovereign nation has ordered the vessel be detained. Proposed argie action? Piracy! Not to worry. I'm sure that there are RN and USN vessels available to intercept and, if necessary, sink the pirates.
    @3 Not with a limpet charge attached to the hull!
    @6 No.
    @9 Or they'll be shot!
    Her Britannic Majesty's Royal Navy will not assist pirates. However, given the examples of the Royal Navy's log and illustrious history, they might consent to hanging pirates from their yardarms.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 08:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Vectis

    what ever happened to keel hauling hanging is to good for them

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 08:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    I hate to say it, but...

    An international shaming of Argentina's military might (wait for it) knock the wind out of their sails ( oh, dear) and have them think twice about invading Falklands again.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 08:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    I don't believe 44 sailors could sail the ship for one very good reason (if it's true).

    We are told they need fuel. Without diesel you cannot run the generators and therefore the winches needed to haul the things necessary on a sailing ship.

    They also will not have power to the steering which on this boat can be disabled anyway to provide the experience to the cadets of what it was like in the times of wooden sailing ships. That will take at LEAST SIX to steer her in close quarters and EIGHT if the swell gets a bit lively if they ever get under way.

    Of course they will only be able to use the Sulzers for propulsion as there is most definitely not enough sailors to dress the sails in safety, especially if a blow comes up and they need to get the sails off.

    No, my guess is they are going to scuttle her if they can get to the open sea. This would be a shameful loss of a very fine vessel. But when has shame ever come into the ‘thinking’ of TMBOA.

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 08:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Trunce

    @28

    Ghana is not without capability if required.

    http://beegeagle.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/ghana-navy-take-delivery-of-four-brand-new-chinese-built-46-8-metre-patrol-ships/

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 09:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • GFace

    Aerolingas is in the same alliance as Air France (Skyteam) which is probably why AA is subcontracting to them. As @17 says, Aerolingas, isn't just Argentina's Flag Carrier, but is also nationalized, just as the Libertad, and may even be a more attractive prize. (On that note, ST is far less decentralized in its hub structure than its rival alliances with all but one other, Aeromex, touching down regularly in their home hub of Amsterdam - even Garuda does this {sheesh}. If I were Skyteam, I'd be reconsidering AA's membership and try to seduce one or two SA Star Alliance or OneWorld carriers to join them in their stead since they really blew it in Oceania.)

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 09:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • redpoll

    All I can say is what a sad end to a fine ship who deserved better from her custodians

    Oct 22nd, 2012 - 11:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Santa Fe

    RG Navy wouldn't be able to cross the atlantic without breaking down, so sad, people row across for charity.

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 06:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Welsh Wizard

    ”risked the safety of the crew by denying them the necessary provisions for a docked ship.”

    What exactly are they talking about here? Why are they not being specific?

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 09:02 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • HansNiesund

    @33

    The judge said they should sort out the issue of resupply with the creditor.

    This isn't, of course, quite the same as risking “the safety of the crew by denying them the necessary provisions”, but it has a bit more appeal from the point of view of populist demagoguery.

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 09:15 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pirat-Hunter

    That's laughable,
    RANSOM, contracts, war. An agreement made between the commander of a capturing vessel with the commander of a vanquished vessel, at sea, by which the former permits the latter to depart with his vessel, and gives him a safe conduct, in consideration of a sum of money, which the commander of the vanquished vessel, in his own name, and in the name of the owners of his vessel and cargo, promises to pay at a future time named, to the other.
         2. This contract is usually made in writing in duplicate, one of which is kept by the vanquished vessel which is its safe conduct; and the other by the conquering vessel, which is properly called ransom bill.
         3. This contract, when made in good faith, and not locally prohibited, is valid, and may be enforced. Such contracts have never been prohibited in this country. 1 Kent, Com. 105. In England they are generally forbidden. Chit. Law of Nat. 90 91; Poth. Tr. du Dr. de Propr. n. 127. Vide 2 Bro. Civ. Law, 260; Wesk. 435; 7 Com. Dig. 201; Marsh. Ins. 431; 2 Dall. 15; 15 John. 6; 3 Burr. 1734. The money paid for the redemption of such property is also called the ransom.
    http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/ransom

    The system that governs the status of individuals charged with committing crimes, from the time of their arrest to the time of their trial, and pending appeal, with the major purpose of ensuring their presence at trial.

    In general, an individual accused of a crime must be held in the custody of the court until his or her guilt or innocence is determined. However, the court has the option of releasing the individual before that determination is made, and this option is called bail. Bail is set by the judge during the defendant's first appearance. For many misdemeanors, bail need not be set. For example, the defendant may be released on the issuance of a citation such as a ticket for a driving

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 12:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    Actually the court has already ordered for the Ship's Documents to be handed over to the port master. What sea drama novel are you reading?

    The captain remains under direct Admiralty orders and with such a large crew, you can tell there is hope by Argentina that they can eventually sail away. So far the Ghana government has been very unagressive, but they're getting a bit irritated about being accused of endangering the crew.

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 01:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pirat-Hunter

    Comment removed by the editor.

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 07:36 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hook

    37@ you're a joke, nothing more.

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 08:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    Hook pirater hunter....aka piddle hopper is an angry immgrant living in Canada that lives in a fantasy world. He was sexually abused by father adn his momma weaned him too soon from her nipples. If he was allowed back in argentina, he could see a shrink as they have the highest number per capita. Be he lives illegally in Canada....as alex vargas

    Oct 23rd, 2012 - 09:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @35 Pirat-ALEX VARGAS

    “RANSOM, contracts, war. An agreement made between the commander of a capturing vessel with the commander of a vanquished vessel, at sea, by which the former permits the latter to depart with his vessel, and gives him a safe conduct, in consideration of a sum of money, which the commander of the vanquished vessel, in his own name, and in the name of the owners of his vessel and cargo, promises to pay at a future time named, to the other.
    2. This contract is usually made in writing in duplicate, one of which is kept by the vanquished vessel which is its safe conduct; and the other by the conquering vessel, which is properly called ransom bill. ”

    Alex, Horatio Hornblower is a children's book.
    Very engaging, but it IS fiction.

    Like your 'pirate stories' ( did you see what I did there?).

    Oct 24th, 2012 - 04:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Isolde

    When are they going to mint 2 peso coins celebrating this event?

    Oct 24th, 2012 - 09:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    Troy it really goes to show the age of these la campora bimbo's. Can you see them voting soon too?

    Oct 24th, 2012 - 10:07 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Engineer in UK

    the ships don't worth millons....Argentina wins...

    Oct 24th, 2012 - 06:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Pete Bog

    @41
    In thirty years time when they tell everyone of the great victory won over Ghana?

    Oct 25th, 2012 - 04:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • British_Kirchnerist

    #15 “could be a desperate, but incompetent “Raid on Entebbe” attempt.
    Could go embarrassingly wrong”

    Or a competent one could be her Falklands war, not as the junta but as the iron lady; could be just the thing to consolidate and accelerate her radical domestic agenda. But I don't think it should come to that, if the law is obeyed by the other side

    #20 “That would not happen, but it would be nice to see her red face glowing!!!”

    Her radiant face is always glowing =)

    Oct 30th, 2012 - 12:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Captain Poppy

    She only has an Army that can invade their own public.....btw......and have to move my bowls BK, get a pic of her for a deserving wipe?

    Oct 30th, 2012 - 11:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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