Central/South American Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

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CNN said:

Buenos Aires (CNN)Argentina's coast guard says it sank a Chinese fishing vessel that was fishing in a restricted area off the South American country's coast.

The Argentine Naval Prefecture chased and eventually sank the Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010 vessel after detecting it illegally fishing within the country's exclusive economic zone, officials said Tuesday.

First, according to

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, warning shots were fired. The Chinese vessel, Argentine authorities said, responded by turning off its lights and deliberately trying to crash.

"On distinct occasions, the offending boat realized maneuvers aimed at colliding with the coast guard, putting not only its own crew at risk, but also the personnel of the coast guard," the statement said.

That's why the coast guard opened fire, Argentine officials said.

The vessel sank, and four people on board -- three crew members and the captain -- were rescued by Argentina's coast guard.

China said that the other 28 crew members who'd been on the Chinese vessel were saved by Chinese fishing vessels nearby.

Argentina's foreign ministry and the Chinese consulate have been notified, the coast guard said.

China calls for investigation

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Argentina to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of the crew.

The statement added that the Chinese embassy in Argentina had "urgently taken up the matter" with Argentine authorities.

China said the incident took place on Monday morning when the Chinese fishing vessel was fired upon by the Argentine coast guard after being chased for hours.

"As a result, water entered the vessel's body and the vessel began to sink," the statement said.

Video posted on YouTube by the coast guard shows the Chinese boat listing to one side during the operation.

The incident began Monday near Puerto Madryn, Argentina, the coast guard said, within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone off the country's coast.

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Chilean resupply ship joins Canadian Navy

The Chilean resupply ship Almirante Montt arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt today as part of the short-term Mutual Logistic Support Arrangement between the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and the Chilean Navy.

The vessel will sail with the Canadian Pacific Fleet from April to June, participating in exercises that will provide sailors with essential operational experience.

Back in 2015, the Canadian Navy used the same ship from July to August for its resupply needs.
Canadian Navy leaders were forced to make arrangements with Chilean and Spanish Navies for the lease of supply ships as its own resupply vessels HMCS Protecteur and HMCS Preserver were removed from service in 2015.

Additionally, the Navy’s new replenishment ship program, dubbed the joint support ship, is already behind schedule and officials do not expect it to join the service before 2021.
More recently, Spanish Navy’s replenishment ship ESPS Patino

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the RCN needs. The ship integrated into RCN February and recently completed its two-month deployment. Another Spanish replenishment ship, the ESPS Cantabria, is expected to deploy with RCN from Mid-September to November.

The agreements with the two friendly navies also provided Canadian sailors with basic training in replenishment at sea (RAS) techniques and other maneuvers. It also assists RCN sailors in retaining the expertise necessary to operate the Queenston-class supply ships once they are delivered, while fostering a collaborative relationship between the RCN and the Chilean Navy.

While en route to Esquimalt, Almirante Montt rendezvoused with HMCS Vancouver to complete replenishment-at-sea training.

On March 15, 2016, eight RCN sailors, including a liaison team and bridge watchkeepers under training, embarked on the Almirante Montt. The team worked with the crew and prepared them for the additional 20 trainees from the RCN who will work on board in rotations while the ship supports the Pacific Fleet.

Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, Commander MARPAC, said: “Having Almirante Montt back in Esquimalt is just another example of the strong partnership between the Canadian and Chilean Navies. This opportunity provides vital knowledge and expertise that will allow our Fleet and sailors to maintain operational readiness, while sustaining individual skills and core seamanship abilities.”

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