China 'seizes US vessel' in South China Sea

[SirLinksALot]

SOURCE: BBC NEWS

URL: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-38347221


The US has issued a formal request to China to deliver an unmanned underwater drone that was seized in international waters, US officials say.

The Chinese navy seized the US underwater research vessel in the South China Sea on Thursday, the US alleges.

The incident took place just as the USNS Bowditch, an oceanographic survey ship, was about to retrieve it.

The device, dubbed a "naval glider", was used to test water salinity and temperature, officials say.

The data was part of an unclassified programme to map underwater channels, the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It was taken" by China, a US official told the media.

"The UUV [unmanned underwater vehicle] was lawfully conducting a military survey in the waters of the South China Sea," the official said.

"It's a sovereign immune vessel, clearly marked in English not to be removed from the water - that it was US property."
The unnamed official added that the encounter occurred about 50 miles (80km) northwest of Subic Bay in the South China Sea.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

That is a declaration of war.

[GtHawk]

This is why drones should be equipped with a healthy explosive accessory device, if it falls into the wrong hands....oops! And the plus is that we can blame those that illegally seized it for destroying our, and hopefully more than a few of them, property.

[Fishrrman]

That's one of the problems with drones, be they in the air, in the sea, or on land.

Somebody else can just grab 'em!

A calculated risk.

[geronl]

That's one of the problems with drones, be they in the air, in the sea, or on land.

Somebody else can just grab 'em!

A calculated risk.

Catch the pigeon! Stab'em, nab'em, grab'em!

[dfwgator]

Catch the pigeon! Stab'em, nab'em, grab'em!