Working Conditions Aboard the Ayane

In a shocking incident off Ensenada, Carlos Eugenio Lima, the third officer of the 'Ayane', has been placed in preventive detention after shooting the ship's captain and first officer. The decision was made by Magistrate Ernesto Kreplak of Federal Court 3 in La Plata, who issued a detailed 23-page ruling. Lima faces charges of 'homicide aggravated by the use of a firearm' in connection with the deaths of Captain Alejandro Daniel García, aged 39, and First Officer Juan Alfonso Pegasano, aged 48. The court cited compelling evidence to solidify the connection between Lima and the heinous act, bolstered by testimonies from remaining crew members of the Argentine Naval Prefecture. Witness statements revealed that discussions preceded the shootings, occurring in the corridor of the captain's cabin and on the navigation bridge. Lima reportedly used a low-caliber weapon to commit the crime, which is believed to have been disposed of in the water immediately afterward. Notably, the magistrate emphasized Lima's admissions to fellow crew members regarding the murders, as well as his communication with port control to confess to the double homicide. Given the serious nature of the charges—carrying a possible sentence of up to 25 years—and Lima's existing criminal record, the judge deemed it necessary for him to remain in custody. During a court appearance last week, Lima, represented by a public defender, chose not to provide testimony. As of November 1, the 'Ayane' has remained docked in La Plata, as investigations continue into this tragic maritime incident.

On October 22, a shocking double homicide unfolded aboard the 'Ayane' vessel in Punta Lara, located in the Ensenada district. Carlos Eugenio Lima, a 52-year-old Third Officer, is accused of murdering both the ship's Captain Alejandro Daniel García (39) and First Officer Juan Alfonso Pegasano (48) during what has been described as a psychotic episode. Following the incident, Lima was transported on the morning of October 25 to the federal courts in La Plata, where he opted not to provide a statement to Federal Judge 3, Ernesto Kreplak, after consulting with his public defender. The tragic events transpired around 11:30 p.m., when Lima, in a chilling audio message sent to his superiors on the morning of October 23, confessed to the killings, stating, "The captain and the first officer are dead, I killed them and I'm going to turn myself in." He later requested the presence of the Prefectura Naval Argentina (PNA) through the ship's radio, leading to his surrender. The 'Ayane', which set sail from the Port of Buenos Aires on October 11 with a crew of 21 Argentine nationals, was anchored in the Rada area near Punta Lara at the time of the incident. Lima's past raises concerning questions, as it has been revealed that he has a criminal history dating back to June 2008, when he was involved in a shooting incident in City Bell, injuring a neighbor over a property dispute. As of October 26, the tanker remains stationary in La Plata while Lima faces charges of double homicide.

On the fateful morning of October 23, 2021, a shocking incident unfolded aboard the tanker 'Ayane' as the Third Officer, Carlos Eugenio Lima, gravely shot both the Master and Chief Officer. This incident took place while the vessel was moored approximately two miles off the scenic La Plata Anchorage in Rio de La Plata. The victims of this tragic event were Captain Alejandro García, aged 39, and First Officer Juan Pegasano, 48, a former lieutenant of the Navy. Following the violent outburst, Lima, exhibiting signs of a psychotic breakdown, took the alarming step of contacting the Argentine Naval Prefecture via VHF radio, candidly confessing, “I killed them.” In response to the distressing situation, two Coast Guard vessels from the Argentine Naval Prefecture were promptly dispatched from Berisso, including the specialized team aboard GC-73 Cabo Corrientes, who boarded the tanker to confirm the unfortunate deaths. Meanwhile, the second vessel, GC-75 Bahía Blanca, maintained a watchful distance. The 'Ayane' remained securely anchored and under the vigilant custody of personnel from the Argentine Naval Prefecture. The ship had departed from Buenos Aires on October 11 and had been waiting at the anchorage since October 21 to resume its operations. Thankfully, the remaining crew members were unharmed and managed to isolate Carlos Eugenio Lima on the starboard side during the chaos. Notably, both the Captain and First Officer had only boarded the vessel the day before, on October 22, for a relief shift.