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USNS Impeccable: Difference between revisions

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→South China Sea incident: "hunting" is the original word used in AP article in MSNBC.
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===South China Sea incident===
===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.]]
[[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 collecting data approximately 75&nbsp;miles south of [[Hainan]], was harassed 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> The civilian crew sprayed water at one of the nearest Chinese ships. Due to the force of the water, the Chinese sailors stripped down to their underwear and their vessel closed in to within 25&nbsp;feet of the American ocean surveillance 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>
On March 8, 2009, the ''Impeccable'' approached to 75 [[miles]] south of [[Hainan]], [[People's Republic of China|China]], while it was "hunting" for [[Chinese]] military [[submarines]] in the area<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29623425 Officials: Ship in China spat was hunting subs] [[MSNBC]] [[2009-03-10]]</ref>. US claimed the waters were [[international waters]], while PRC disagreed with that (i.e. [[Exclusive Economic Zone]]).<ref name="jane">[http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/US-And-China-Face-Off-In-South-China-Sea-USNS-Impeccable-And-Chinese-Boats/Article/200903215238151?lpos=World_News_First_World_News_Article_Teaser_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15238151_US_And_China_Face-Off_In_South_China_Sea%2C_USNS_Impeccable_And_Chinese_Boats US And China Face-Off On The High Seas], [[Sky News]], March 9, 2009</ref> <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7934138.stm China hits out at US on navy row] [[BBC News]] [[2009-03-10]]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7933171.stm Chinese ships 'harass' US vessel], [[BBC News]], 9 March 2009</ref> It was harassed 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> The civilian crew sprayed water at one of the nearest Chinese ships. Due to the force of the water, the Chinese sailors stripped down to their underwear and their vessel closed in to within 25&nbsp;feet of the American ocean surveillance 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&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;yards without providing notice of her 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>
This was the latest in a string of incidents involving the ''Impeccable'' and Chinese vessels. On March&nbsp;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&nbsp;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&nbsp;yards without providing notice of her 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>

Revision as of 04:31, 12 March 2009

For other ships with the same name, see USS Impeccable.
History
OwnerMilitary Sealift Command
BuilderAmerican Shipbuilding, Tampa, Florida
Laid downMarch 15 1992
LaunchedAugust 28 1998
Completedat Halter Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1995
In serviceMarch 22, 2001
Honors and
awards		National Defense Service Medal
StatusTemplate:Ship fate box active in service
General characteristics
TypeImpeccable-class ocean surveillance ship
Displacement5,368 tons
Length281 ft 5 in (85.78 m)
Beam95 ft 8 in (29.16 m)
Draft26 ft (7.9 m)
Propulsiondiesel-electric, two shafts, 5,000shp
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement25 civilian mariners, 25 military
Sensors and
processing systems		SURTASS passive and active low frequency sonar arrays

USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS-23) is an Impeccable-class ocean surveillance ship acquired by the U.S. Navy in 2001 and assigned to the Navy’s Special Missions Program.

Construction

Impeccable was built by American Shipbuilding, Tampa, Florida. She was laid down on 15 March 1992, completed by Halter Marine Inc., Gulfport, Mississippi, in 1995.[1] She was launched 28 August 1998 and was delivered to the Navy on 22 March 2001 which assigned her to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) Special Missions Program.[2]

Design

The ship is a designated T-AGOS vessel built to tow a Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System. The ship's catamaran-type small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) design prevents the vessel from rolling in heavy seas and gives additional deck space for storing the acoustic equipment.[3]

Mission

The mission of Impeccable is to directly support the Navy by using SURTASS passive and active low frequency sonar arrays to detect and track undersea threats.

Operational history

South China Sea incident

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 approached to 75 miles south of Hainan, China, while it was "hunting" for Chinese military submarines in the area[4]. US claimed the waters were international waters, while PRC disagreed with that (i.e. Exclusive Economic Zone).[5] [6][7] It was harassed by several 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 Chinese Navy ocean surveillance ship, and two small Chinese-flagged trawlers, which maneuvered close to the Impeccable, with two closing in to 50 feet (15 m), waving Chinese flags, and ordering the Impeccable from the area.[8] The civilian crew sprayed water at one of the nearest Chinese ships. Due to the force of the water, the Chinese sailors stripped down to their underwear and their vessel closed in to within 25 feet of the American ocean surveillance 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.[9][10] 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.[11]

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 Y-12 aircraft, conducting 11 flyovers of Impeccable at an altitude of 600 feet (180 m) and a range from 100–300 feet (30–90 m). The frigate then crossed Impeccable's bow again, this time at a range of approximately 400–500 yards without providing notice of her intentions.[12][13]

On March 7, a Chinese intelligence collection ship contacted the Impeccable over bridge-to-bridge radio, calling her operations illegal and directing Impeccable to leave the area or "suffer the consequences."[14]

The United States lodged formal protests following the incident. Under international law, the U.S. military can conduct activities "in waters beyond the territorial sea of another state without prior notification or consent" including in an exclusive economic zone of another country, said a Pentagon spokesman. "The unprofessional maneuvers by Chinese vessels violated the requirement under international law to operate with due regard for the rights and safety of other lawful users of the ocean."[10][15]

The Chinese Foreign Ministry says the USNS Impeccable was conducting activities in China's Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea. As such, it maintains that it may prohibit non-Chinese naval vessels from operating in this area. The United States claims that, according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, China has no legal basis for restricting other nations' naval vessels' operations in this area.[5][16][17] Several legal experts also state that there is no legal foundation in China's claim that it can prevent foreign naval vessels from operating within its Exclusive Economic Zone.[18] The Foreign Ministry also said that the Pentagon's complaint that five Chinese vessels had harassed the USNS Impeccable were "totally inaccurate".[19][20] China's claim has already been disputed by several released reports, which all state that the Impeccable was harassed numerous times, both while operating in the area and when attempting to leave.[21][22][23] "China's done this before, they've harassed boats that they feel have intruded into an area they claim," said Wendell Minnick of Jane's Defence Weekly.

The Impeccable's surveillance mission is focused mainly on undersea warfare. This may be of a particular interest to the Chinese government, as they operate an estimated 62 submarines, most of which are diesel electric powered.[24]

Honors and awards

Impeccable personnel are qualified for the following medals:

See also

References

  1. ^ "USNS IMPECCABLE (T-AGOS 23)". Naval Vessel Register. United States Navy. October 21, 2004. Retrieved 2009-03-11.
  2. ^ Ship Inventory - USNS IMPECCABLE (T-AGOS 23) - Ocean Surveillance Ship, Military Sealift Command
  3. ^ T-AGOS 23 Impeccable - Swath-L (Large) Ocean Surveillance Ship
  4. ^ Officials: Ship in China spat was hunting subs MSNBC 2009-03-10
  5. ^ a b US And China Face-Off On The High Seas, Sky News, March 9, 2009 Cite error: The named reference "jane" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ China hits out at US on navy row BBC News 2009-03-10
  7. ^ Chinese ships 'harass' US vessel, BBC News, 9 March 2009
  8. ^ Pentagon: Chinese vessels harassed unarmed ship, Associated Press, March 9, 2009
  9. ^ U.S. protests harassing of Navy ship by Chinese, MSNBC, March 9, 2009.
  10. ^ a b U.S. Protests 'Harassment' of Navy Ship by Chinese Vessels, Washington Post, March 9, 2009 Cite error: The named reference "WP0309" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  11. ^ Close call off South China Sea, MSNBC, March 9, 2009
  12. ^ USNS Impeccable: Chinese Vessels Harass US Navy Ship, March 9, 2009
  13. ^ Pentagon says Chinese vessels harassed U.S. ship, CNN
  14. ^ Chinese Vessels Harass U.S. Navy Ship, Pentagon Says, Bloomberg, March 9, 2009
  15. ^ U.S. says Chinese vessels harassed Navy ship, Reuters, March 9, 2009
  16. ^ China hits out at US on navy row BBC News 2009-03-10
  17. ^ Chinese ships 'harass' US vessel, BBC News, 9 March 2009
  18. ^ http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/63656.html
  19. ^ China hits out at US on navy row BBC News 2009-03-10
  20. ^ Foreign Ministry says the USNS Impeccable violating international and Chinese law, Xinhua, March 10, 2009
  21. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090310/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_china_incident
  22. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/10/south-china-navy
  23. ^ http://www.huliq.com/3257/78221/spy-ship-usns-impeccable-harassed-chinese-ships-report
  24. ^ http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/sub/default.asp

Public Domain This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.

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