Nathan
GA Member
- Jul 2, 2018
- 629
Urgent During routine operations in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Canadian Navy vessel HMCS Halifax was illegally and aggressively intercepted by a warship from the People's Republic of China. Our vessel was in international waters between Europe and Canada. We have video and photographic evidence of this vessel pointing it's main gun at HMCS Halifax. This vessel engaged in aggressive manoeuvring to remain directly behind HMCS Halifax, with it's main gun still trained on our warship. Upon challenging this vessel, we received a following communication from the Chinese warship "Foxtrot-Foxtrot-Golf 3-3-0 [HMCS Halifax] this is Chinese military vessel, we responding to your message, we deemed your course suspicious and highly coincidental to ours, we picked up you on radar immediately we notice you, we understand claim from you freedom of navigation, we request to know true intentions for being this area and why Canada has warship in this area. we understand here neutral area, we just want true intentions from you." This is a clear violation of the Law of the High Seas. HMCS Halifax was in International waters at all time. This took place in the Middle of the Atlantic Ocean, which is notably nowhere near China. All mariners should be on high alert for this, or similar vessels. It is noted to be travelling without its AIS tracking on. There is a high potential this vessel is engaging in espionage or intelligence gathering. It is our recommendation that this vessel's profile is circulated across military ships and civilian ships. This vessel's manoeuvres are highly dangerous and care should be taken if operating in it's vicinity . HMCS Halifax was on a steady course heading East at time of interception. Radar tracking shows that the Chinese vessel turned towards HMCS Halifax in order to start the confrontation, The vessel is currently out of fuel in the Atlantic, Canadian and American vessels are assisting the vessel. We are concerned other vessels may be operating in a similar matter close to other nations. Please be on the look out for further vessels. We have released video of the incident, still images of the ship and it's pennant numbers. All radio communications between China and Canada, during the incident. Canada requests that the Captain of this vessel immediately be removed from his position. The video recordings have been released, however faces of the crew, information on paper, walls, or documents on the HMCS Halifax are all blurred out for privacy. Video is from the bridge and bridge wings of the event. Only radio communication between HMCS Halifax and the Chinese ship have been released, any internal or external communication are not released. Radar tracking would be released from the event |
