Plans to recover the “KOÑIMO I” catamaran from the bottom of the Reloncaví estuary remain in limbo as authorities struggle to assign responsibility. More than two months after the sinking—a disaster that claimed the lives of six workers in the Los Lagos region—the vessel remains submerged 40 meters below the surface.
The Chilean Navy maintains that the responsibility for the refloating operation lies with the Koñimo company, the vessel's owner. However, the recovery process is currently stalled by a legal dispute over the exact location of the wreckage.
Francisco Paredes, the attorney representing the family of crew member Marco Árgel, argues that the company Trusal must also be held accountable. He contends that the remains of the vessel are located within the boundaries of Trusal's concession area.
"Trusal has an obligation to preserve the seabed and ensure the safety of navigation," Paredes stated. The attorney has also filed manslaughter charges and initiated legal action to address the environmental pollution in the estuary.
The cargo that blocked the exit
Investigations suggest that improperly secured cargo prevented the cabin from being evacuated during the disaster. The defense's theory indicates that six tons of chain on the deck blocked all emergency exits.
This excessive weight on the structure reportedly prevented workers from escaping the cabin, which was located beneath the visible portion of the vessel. The failure to properly secure the cargo was a critical factor in the accident.
The incident occurred on the border of the Puerto Varas and Cochamó communes, specifically within the “Ralún del Este” aquaculture site. Eight workers were aboard the vessel, seven of whom were employees of the “Agua Santa” company.
The eighth crew member, one of the two survivors of the shipwreck, was from the company “Inversiones Proactiva LTDA.” The group was performing operational maneuvers in the area at the time of the tragedy.
So far, dive teams have inspected the site to evaluate technical recovery options. However, uncertainty persists regarding who will fund and execute the salvage operation. The situation continues to place immense pressure on the companies involved as legal proceedings determine accountability for the loss of life and the environmental impact on the estuary.