This screen grab of a Monday, March 14, 2016 video released by Argentina’s navy, or “Prefectura Naval Argentina” (PNA), shows what they identify as Chinese fishing boat “Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010” in Argentina’s national waters off the coast of Puerto Madryn, Argentina. Argentina’s navy said in a statement it used gunfire to sink the boat fishing illegally in its waters after its crew didn’t heed warning calls and instead tried to ram an Argentine naval vessel. The navy reports all four people on board were rescued and arrested. (Argentina’s Navy via AP)
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina—Argentina’s coast guard sank a Chinese fishing boat that attacked when authorities tried to stop it for illegal fishing in the South Atlantic, officials said Tuesday.
The boat’s crew were all rescued alive, police said in a statement.
“The offending vessel carried out maneuvers to collide with the coast guard patrol, putting at risk not only its own crew’s lives but also those of coast guard personnel. Thus the order was given to fire on different sections of the vessel, damaging it,” the statement said.
The boat’s captain was due to be handed over to police and appear before a judge.
A video posted on the coast guard’s website showed the boat, the Lu Yan Yuan Yu 010, slowly listing in the open sea after coming under fire.
The boat was detected Monday off Puerto Madryn, 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) south of Buenos Aires.
It tried to flee into international waters when the coast guard ordered it to stop, then repeatedly maneuvered to collide with the patrol ship, authorities said.
“The captain did not stop the engines until the boat started to sink,” they said.
Illegal fishing is a frequent problem in the waters of the South Atlantic, often involving Chinese or Russian vessels.
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