|
===South China Sea incident===
[[File:USNS Impeccable–SCSea incident02.jpg|thumb|left|250px| Two Chinese trawlers stop directly in front of the ''Impeccable'', forcing the ship to conduct an emergency "all stop" in order to avoid collision.]]
On March 8, 2009, the ''Impeccable'', while monitoring submarine activity<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29623425 Officials: Ship in China spat was hunting subs] [[MSNBC]] [[2009-03-10]]</ref> 75 [[miles]] south of [[Hainan]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], invaded Chinese territory and was harassedconfronted by several [[People's Liberation Army Navy|Chinese Naval ships]]. The unarmed ''Impeccable'' was shadowed by five [[Chinese]] ships, including a Bureau of Maritime Fisheries Patrol Vessel, a [[State Oceanographic Administration]] patrol vessel, a [[People's Liberation Army Navy|Chinese Navy]] ocean surveillance ship, and two small Chinese-flagged [[trawler|trawlers]], which maneuvered close to the ''Impeccable'', with two closing in to {{convert|50|ft}}, waving Chinese flags, and ordering the ''Impeccable'' from the area.<ref>[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jLGjotiM5K34OisyYCFafERRGJ7wD96QID000 Pentagon: Chinese vessels harassed unarmed ship], ''[[Associated Press]]'', March 9, 2009</ref><ref>http://oceanengineering.blogspot.com/2009/03/usns-impeccable.html</ref> The civilian crew sprayed water at one of the nearest Chinese ships; the Chinese sailors stripped down to their underwear and their vessel closed in to within 25 feet of the American ship. Shortly after the incident, the ''Impeccable'' radioed the Chinese crews, informing them of its intentions to leave the area, and requesting a safe pass to travel. When trying to leave the area, however, the two Chinese trawlers stopped directly in front of the ''Impeccable'', forcing it to do an [[emergency stop]] to avoid a collision.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29596179/ U.S. protests harassing of Navy ship by Chinese], ''[[MSNBC]]'', March 9, 2009.</ref><ref name="WP0309">[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/09/AR2009030900956.html?hpid=moreheadlines U.S. Protests 'Harassment' of Navy Ship by Chinese Vessels], ''[[Washington Post]]'', March 9, 2009</ref> Once the ''Impeccable'' got underway, the crew aboard one of the Chinese ships used a grappling hook to try to snag ''Impeccable's'' towed sonar array.<ref name="msnbc">[http://deepbackground.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/03/09/1829183.aspx Close call off South China Sea], [[MSNBC]], March 9, 2009</ref>
This was the latest in a string of incidents involving the ''Impeccable'' and Chinese vessels. On March 5, 2009, a Chinese [[frigate]] approached ''Impeccable'', crossing its bow at a range of approximately 100 yards. This was followed less than two hours later by a Chinese [[Harbin Y-12|Y-12]] aircraft, conducting 11 flyovers of ''Impeccable'' at an altitude of {{convert|600|ft}} and a range from {{convert|100|-|300|ft|-1}}. The frigate then crossed ''Impeccable''{{'s}} bow again, this time at a range of approximately 400–500 yards, without notifying ''Impeccable'' its intentions.<ref> [http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/03/09/usns-impeccable-chinese-vessels-harass-us-navy-ship/ USNS Impeccable: Chinese Vessels Harass US Navy Ship], March 9, 2009</ref><ref> [http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/09/us.navy.china/index.html Pentagon says Chinese vessels harassed U.S. ship], [[CNN]]</ref>
|
