Argentine law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of 37-year-old fisherman Matías Oscar Vilchez, who fell ill and died after no emergency medical evacuation was carried out onboard a vessel. A federal court is reviewing the actions of both the ship’s captain and a shore-based physician who provided remote medical advice.
Vilchez had joined the fishing vessel Don Nicola as a crew member during a voyage departing from the port of Mar del Plata in mid-April. On April 24, while at sea, he began experiencing severe chest pain.
The ship’s captain contacted a doctor from the Argentine Coast Guard. The physician assessed that an air evacuation by helicopter was not necessary and advised that the vessel should immediately return to port so the patient could receive medical attention. At the time, the vessel was only about 25 nautical miles from shore.
However, according to the ongoing investigation, the vessel did not immediately change course toward the port. During this period, the fisherman was initially given medication for stomach-related symptoms.
According to the family’s lawyer, Vilchez remained onboard for the next 17 hours, during which his condition progressively worsened. He reportedly sent a message to his wife requesting evacuation by helicopter.
On the morning of April 25, crew members found him dead in his cabin. A forensic examination determined that the cause of death was a heart attack.
The federal prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation under the charge of “abandonment of a person in a helpless situation resulting in death.” Both the ship’s captain and the shore-based physician are being investigated. The doctor, however, states that he instructed the vessel to return to port immediately and denies any responsibility for the outcome.
