A historic research vessel accidentally sank before Argentina’s scheduled artificial reef.

Argentina’s historic Captain Canepa research vessel accidentally sank on December 4, just days before it was to become part of an artificial reef.

The ship, which had been part of the Argentine Navy’s research for decades, sank at the Mar del Plata Naval Base. Built-in 1964, Captain Canepa was originally a fishing vessel but was later purchased by the Argentine National Fisheries Institute (INIDEP) in 1979 for research.

Over the next 40 years, the ship completed more than 200 scientific missions studying the oceans and fish. He even assisted in search and rescue operations during the 1982 Falklands conflict.

The ship has earned the affection and respect of many former crew members, who remember it as a welcoming workplace. Years of hard work and a lack of maintenance due to labor disputes caused the ship to fall into disrepair.

In 2019, it was dismantled with plans to turn it into an artificial reef for the Cristo Rey Underwater Park. The project aimed to help marine life thrive while giving the ship a meaningful final purpose.

But before the ship could be towed to its final resting place, Captain Canepa sank while still docking at the Mar del Plata Naval Base.

Preliminary investigations showed that the ship’s old and fragile hull allowed water to seep into it, causing it to sink.

Fortunately, no one was on board when the sinking occurred, and the hazardous materials were removed, so there was no environmental damage.

A pollution prevention and control emergency team was immediately deployed to ensure the safety of the surrounding sea area.

Local media Biscari said the sinking was a fitting end for many years for the ship in the water. Instead of going to the scrapyard, Captain Canepa sank safely in the waters where he had sailed for decades. They will remain part of the marine ecosystem as artificial reefs.