China Coast Guard Vessel Collides With Philippine Boat in South China Sea

A China Coast Guard vessel collided with a Philippine government boat during a fuel delivery mission in the South China Sea on Friday, damaging the Philippine vessel but causing no injuries, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources vessel BRP Datu Magat Salamat was carrying out a mission to distribute fuel to Filipino fishermen about 54 nautical miles off the coast of Palawan when the incident occurred. Philippine officials said the Chinese vessel carried out a series of manoeuvres before making contact with the ship.

The Philippine Coast Guard said the collision damaged railings and structures on the deck of the BFAR vessel. Photographs released after the incident showed bent and detached railings, damaged metal supports and debris scattered across the deck.

“The China Coast Guard deliberately rammed a civilian government vessel on a humanitarian and livelihood mission,” the Philippine Coast Guard said.

Video released by Philippine authorities showed crew members warning each other to “brace for impact” shortly before the collision at 11:13 a.m. local time. Philippine officials said the Chinese vessel had earlier passed close to the stern of the BFAR boat before making contact.

China disputed the Philippine account and blamed the collision on the Philippine vessel.

The China Coast Guard said it was conducting law enforcement operations near Sabina Shoal when the Philippine ship ignored repeated warnings, changed course and accelerated across the Chinese vessel’s bow. Chinese authorities said their vessel operated professionally and that the Philippine side was responsible for the incident.

The incident has added to continuing tensions between Beijing and Manila over disputed areas of the South China Sea. Sabina Shoal and other maritime areas in the region have become frequent sites of encounters involving vessels from both countries.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs condemned the Chinese vessel’s actions and said there was no justification for conduct that damaged a Philippine civilian law enforcement ship and endangered its crew. Manila said the Philippine vessel had been carrying out a routine mission to support Filipino fishermen.

The Philippines has repeatedly accused China of using aggressive tactics against its vessels in contested waters. In July, Manila accused Chinese vessels of using water cannon against Philippine government boats near Scarborough Shoal and said a Philippine Navy personnel member was struck during an encounter near Second Thomas Shoal.

China has rejected accusations that its maritime forces are responsible for escalating the confrontations and has repeatedly said Philippine vessels are entering waters claimed by Beijing.

The latest collision occurred within what Manila considers its exclusive economic zone and is the latest in a series of maritime incidents that have strained relations between the two countries.