Milla 200: A la caza de los barcos piratas (Parte 1)

Summary

The transcript follows a journey aboard an Argentine coast guard ship patrolling the nation's maritime exclusive economic zone, focusing on the tense and complex task of safeguarding Argentina's rich marine resources. The crew navigates through challenging weather conditions, encountering foreign fishing vessels that threaten to encroach on Argentine waters. The video showcases the daily challenges faced by the crew, from rough seas to confrontations with international vessels, offering an inside look at the high-stakes operation in one of the world's busiest maritime zones.

Takeaways

• 😀 The patrol mission takes place in the maritime zone 200 miles off the coast of Argentina, an area rich in natural resources and subject to international fishing disputes.
• 😀 The main task of the patrol ship, *Der Herbes*, is to monitor and prevent foreign fishing vessels from illegally entering Argentina's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
• 😀 The patrol crew operates on a rotating 4-hour shift system, ensuring 24-hour vigilance while navigating through rough waters and unpredictable weather conditions.
• 😀 Argentina's maritime platform is one of the largest in the world, making surveillance of its EEZ extremely challenging due to its vast size.
• 😀 The *Der Herbes* is equipped to stay at sea for extended periods, with a minimum of two days of navigation required to reach the operational zone, and additional time spent patrolling.
• 😀 A critical part of the patrol mission is the exchange of crews with other ships like the *Mantilla*, which has been patrolling the area for over a week before being relieved by the *Der Herbes*.
• 😀 The area around the 200-mile limit is frequently encountered by foreign fishing vessels, particularly from China, which attempt to exploit Argentina’s resources by fishing illegally.
• 😀 The crew's living conditions aboard the *Der Herbes* are challenging, with cramped quarters, mandatory life jacket use, and the constant presence of harsh weather.
• 😀 The patrol mission also includes interactions with the media, as a crew from the show *Telenoche* accompanies the mission to report on the difficulties of securing the country’s maritime resources.
• 😀 The patrol's role as a deterrent is critical, as it prevents foreign vessels from entering Argentina’s waters and ensures that national resources remain protected.
• 😀 The tension in the area is high, as there is constant pressure from international fishing fleets trying to cross into Argentina’s maritime territory, with the crew facing significant risks in their daily operations.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 200-mile maritime border mentioned in the script?

The 200-mile maritime border is crucial as it marks Argentina's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where the country has the right to exploit the resources. This area is highly contested, with foreign vessels, especially from China, frequently attempting to enter to fish in these waters.

What does the term 'milla 200' refer to in the context of the script?

'Milla 200' refers to the 200-mile maritime border of Argentina's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is a significant zone for marine resource exploitation and a site of frequent international disputes over fishing rights.

Why are the patrols in the 200-mile zone considered important?

Patrols in the 200-mile zone are essential to prevent illegal fishing by foreign vessels in Argentina's waters. The region is rich in resources, making it a hotspot for international competition, especially from Chinese fishing boats.

How does the 'guardacostas' (coast guard) operate in this maritime area?

The coast guard, represented by ships like the 'Der Herves', operates by patrolling the 200-mile maritime border to prevent foreign vessels from entering Argentina's Exclusive Economic Zone. They monitor and intervene when vessels get too close or illegally fish in Argentine waters.

What challenges do the crew face while patrolling the maritime border?

The crew faces challenges such as rough weather conditions, including storms and strong winds, as well as the physical discomfort of being on a ship for extended periods. They also have to navigate constant vigilance due to the potential presence of foreign fishing vessels.

What role does the crew of the 'Der Herves' play in monitoring the maritime border?

The crew of the 'Der Herves' is responsible for patrolling the 200-mile zone, ensuring foreign vessels do not cross into Argentina's waters. They also monitor the activities of other vessels and intervene if necessary to uphold the country's maritime sovereignty.

How does the script describe the living conditions aboard the 'Der Herves'?

The living conditions aboard the 'Der Herves' are described as uncomfortable, with the crew enduring difficult weather conditions like storms, strong winds, and rough seas. The crew works in shifts, and they have a basic living setup with a small dining area and sleeping quarters.

What is meant by the term 'alambrado' as used in the script?

The term 'alambrado' refers to the metaphorical boundary between Argentina's Exclusive Economic Zone and international waters, similar to a fence or boundary in a sports context. It is used internally by the coast guard to describe the sensitive and contested area around the 200-mile border.

How is the crew's interaction with foreign vessels described in the script?

The crew's interaction with foreign vessels is tense and unpredictable. They must carefully monitor the approach of other ships, especially those from countries like China, to prevent illegal fishing. The crew deals with confrontations and potential attempts to cross into Argentina's waters.

What is the significance of the 'city of floating ships' mentioned in the script?

The 'city of floating ships' refers to the large concentration of foreign fishing vessels that gather near the 200-mile zone. These ships often operate just outside Argentina's waters, making the area look like a floating city of fishing boats that are under constant surveillance.