US Navy vessel claims it was forced to defend itself with water canon with unexpected consequences
The US intends to protest to the Chinese envoy in Washington after an incident between Chinese and US naval vessels in International Waters that culminated in what may be one of the first reported cases of military disrobing at sea.
The US naval surveillance vessel, (USNS) Impeccable, was ‘undertaking routine operations in international waters’ 75 miles south of Hainan Island in the South China Sea, when it was approached and harassed by several Chinese Naval vessels, according to the Pentagon.
A report in the Guardian Newspaper states that two of the chinese vessels closed the American vessel to within 50ft.
A Pentagon official is quoted as saying: “Because the vessels’ intentions were not known, Impeccable sprayed its fire hoses at one of the vessels in order to protect itself. The Chinese crew members disrobed to their underwear and continued closing to within 25ft.”
No one at the Chinese foreign ministry was available for comment.