Working Conditions Aboard the Cabo-De-Hornos

On January 21, 2026, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a fire erupted aboard the 'Cabo de Hornos' during maintenance work at the Asmar shipyard located in Tres Punetes. The blaze ignited in the engine room of the vessel, prompting immediate action from local emergency services. Firefighters from the Punta Arenas Fire Department received the alarm and quickly dispatched units from the Fifth and Sixth Fire Companies to tackle the flames. During the incident, two individuals sustained injuries, necessitating the involvement of an ambulance from the Emergency Medical Service (SAMU) to provide initial care and facilitate their transfer to a nearby medical facility. Maritime Police also arrived on-site to assist with the situation and support the ongoing initial investigations aimed at uncovering the precise cause of the fire. For more details and to view the incident photographs, visit: https://laprensaaustral.cl/2026/01/22/incendio-en-buque-factoria-en-astillero-asmar-deja-dos-lesionados/

On July 1, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., an oil spill estimated at one ton occurred from the factory ship Cabo de Hronos, prompting immediate investigation from local authorities. This significant environmental incident was reported by prosecutor Pedro Poblete, an expert in environmental crimes, who is overseeing the inquiry in Puerto Chacabuco Bay. Operated by Pesca Chile and stationed in Punta Arenas, the Cabo de Hronos has become the focus of the Local Prosecutor's Office of Aysén. In response to the spill, prosecutor Poblete has initiated investigative actions in collaboration with the Investigative Brigade of Crimes Against the Environment and Cultural Heritage (Bidema) of Aysén. The investigation includes gathering witness statements, seizing pertinent documents, and conducting scientific analyses at both Bidema and the PDI Criminalistics Laboratory. As of July 5, 2024, the Cabo de Hronos remains docked in Puerto Chacabuco while the investigation unfolds.