Royal Navy RHIB struck by a survey probe from a Spanish state research vessel on Friday in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters!
Once again we find another dangerous incursions in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters. This time not just by the Spanish Para military Guardia Civil but by the Spanish State Research Vessel - Angeles Alvarino - the research vessel attempted to take executive action in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, by trying to drop probes into the sea to take readings. One of these probes hit a Royal Navy patrol boat as it sought to prevent it. Royal Navy, Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Defence Police vessels were all dispatched to the scene, with a Guardia Civil patrol boat also called in by the survey vessel.
The stand off of more than an hour was caught on photos and audio by many.
What is our Government, Our Governor, Our FCO doing? Nothing only the normal - paper protests!
I do believe until a person is badly injured or worse - is killed no-one anywhere will do anything!
Where in any other Country is this behaviour accepted? What happened to arresting and enforcing the laws?
Why is UK Government sacrificing the security of Gibraltar? UK Government has a duty and is failing - is this right?
I ask you all from the many different countries that read our blog - would you tolerate this non action? Of course not! So why are we having to put up with this day in and day out?
Our Governor - the FCO and the Navy also have failed us - so many warnings - so many protest!
Everyone can see it and know about it? But who dares rock the boat? Not even our Own Government is doing anything about it! Is it not high time that Gibraltar hold a massive demonstration to ensure UK get the message loud and clear?
"Do your duty and protect Gibraltar!"
Courtesy Tommy Finlayson who managed to capture the best photos of the incident in question!
Also Courtesy OF Tommy Finlayson Audio of the incident
INCURSION BY SPANISH SURVEY VESSEL ANGELES ALVARINO INTO GIBRALTAR WATERS
https://youtu.be/YMD_jGC6dUo3 JULY 2015 - Incursion by Spanish survey vessel Angeles Alvarino
Both the Government and the Convent have described as “unacceptable” an unlawful incursion, which saw a Royal Navy RHIB struck by a survey probe from a Spanish state research vessel on Friday. The Angeles Alvarino entered British Gibraltar Territorial Waters on more than one occasion this afternoon, in what the Government has called “a three-hour stand-off”.
According to the Government, the Angeles Alvarino attempted to take executive action in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, by trying to drop probes into the sea to take readings: one of these hit a Royal Navy patrol boat as it sought to prevent it. Royal Navy, Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Defence Police vessels were all dispatched to the scene, with a Guardia Civil patrol boat also called in by the survey vessel.
The Government describes the incident as “dangerous and reckless nonsense”, adding it marks the start of the summer season when the current Spanish Government uses Gibraltar as a distraction to divert attention from problems at home. It says it’s absurd that Spain should provoke an incident of this kind, engaging law enforcement vessels from both sides when there’s much more important work to be done in the fight against organised crime, human trafficking and terrorism.
For its part, the Convent has reiterated its concern about the “dangerous manner” in which the Angeles Alvarino acted. In a statement, it said it’s very fortunate that no-one was hurt and that no serious damage was done, adding it’s made clear its disappointment that this was a repeat of a similar incident last October. The Convent says it’s protested the incursion directly to the Spanish authorities at a senior level, making clear that such violations of the UK’s sovereignty are unacceptable. It’s restated its position that such incursions do not weaken the international legal basis for UK sovereignty over BGTW.
This recording contains footage recorded during the event. The audio is a series of clips recorded from Marine Band Channel 16 during the incursion.
***************
Courtesy GBC News
http://www.gbc.gi/news/incursion-spanish-survey-vessel-angeles-alvarino-29959
Both the Government and the Convent have described as “unacceptable” an unlawful incursion, which saw a Royal Navy RHIB struck by a survey probe from a Spanish state research vessel on Friday. The Angeles Alvarino entered British Gibraltar Territorial Waters on more than one occasion this afternoon, in what the Government has called “a three-hour stand-off”.
According to the Government, the Angeles Alvarino attempted to take executive action in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters, by trying to drop probes into the sea to take readings: one of these hit a Royal Navy patrol boat as it sought to prevent it. Royal Navy, Royal Gibraltar Police and Gibraltar Defence Police vessels were all dispatched to the scene, with a Guardia Civil patrol boat also called in by the survey vessel.
The Government describes the incident as “dangerous and reckless nonsense”, adding it marks the start of the summer season when the current Spanish Government uses Gibraltar as a distraction to divert attention from problems at home. It says it’s absurd that Spain should provoke an incident of this kind, engaging law enforcement vessels from both sides when there’s much more important work to be done in the fight against organised crime, human trafficking and terrorism.
For its part, the Convent has reiterated its concern about the “dangerous manner” in which the Angeles Alvarino acted. In a statement, it said it’s very fortunate that no-one was hurt and that no serious damage was done, adding it’s made clear its disappointment that this was a repeat of a similar incident last October. The Convent says it’s protested the incursion directly to the Spanish authorities at a senior level, making clear that such violations of the UK’s sovereignty are unacceptable. It’s restated its position that such incursions do not weaken the international legal basis for UK sovereignty over BGTW.
**************
Courtesy Gibraltar Chronicle
http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=36140
BRITAIN PROTESTS OVER ‘DANGEROUS’ INCURSION BY SPANISH SURVEY SHIP
by Brian Reyes
A Royal Navy speedboat received a blow from a heavy oceanographic probe as it tried to prevent a Spanish survey ship from taking readings in British waters yesterday.
No one was injured in the incident but the actions of the Spanish ship were described as “reckless and dangerous” and drew a rapid diplomatic protest from the British Government.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo called for a “clear and robust” response from Britain to avoid any further repetition, even as he warned that such incidents could increase over the summer and in the run-up to Spain’s general election.
No one was injured in the incident but the actions of the Spanish ship were described as “reckless and dangerous” and drew a rapid diplomatic protest from the British Government.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo called for a “clear and robust” response from Britain to avoid any further repetition, even as he warned that such incidents could increase over the summer and in the run-up to Spain’s general election.
The research ship Ángeles Alvariño, operated by the Spanish oceanographic institute, was attempting to collect samples and readings inside British Gibraltar territorial waters.
The vessel – and others like it – has been here before in the past as part of Spain’s efforts to exert jurisdiction within a Spanish EU-designated nature site that overlaps into British waters.
Every time it enters, Royal Navy vessels in Gibraltar, together with other agencies, attend and prevent it from carrying out the research work, which is unlawful in British waters.
Within hours of the events at sea yesterday, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office had
lodged a formal protest at senior level with the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Madrid.
“We have protested the incursion directly to the Spanish authorities at a senior level, making clear that such violations of the UK’s sovereignty are unacceptable,” said a spokesman for The Convent.
“We have also reiterated our concern about the dangerous manner in which the Angeles Alvariño acted.”
“The vessel deployed a survey probe which struck a Royal Navy rigid inflatable hulled boat. It is very fortunate that no-one was hurt and no serious damage was done.”
“We made clear our disappointment that this was a repeat incident of the one in October last year.” The incident had been closely monitored at a very senior level in Spain even prior to the British complaint. Just before 1pm, while the Spanish vessel was still in British waters off the Rock, Ignacio Ybañez, Spain’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, tweeted that the Ángeles Alvariño was conducting scientific studies “in Spanish waters in the bay of Algeciras”.
Yesterday’s incident unfolded in the Bay of Gibraltar and off Europa Point.
There was a tense stand-off involving the research ship, a Guardia Civil vessel and several vessels from Gibraltar, including patrol boats from the Royal Navy, the Royal Gibraltar Police and the Gibraltar Defence Police.
Navy personnel read out warnings to the Spanish vessel urging it to leave. In response, crew on the Ángeles Alvariño said they were conducting scientific work in Spanish waters. The Spanish vessels finally departed British waters after about three hours.
“This was, once again, dangerous and reckless nonsense no doubt orchestrated and applauded at the highest political levels of the current Spanish Government in pursuit of their claim to the sovereignty of our waters, an objective which it will never achieve,” the Chief Minister said.
“It’s not going to happen legally or factually, however many probes they deploy and even former Spanish Ambassadors to the UN have recognised that.”
“Once again, today, lives have been endangered and police and navy time has been wasted by these useless and needlessly provocative activities.”
Mr Picardo said the fact that the incident was unfolding as authorities in Gibraltar held a minute’s silence for the victims of the terror attack in Tunisia demonstrated “extraordinary crassness” and “an forgiveable lack of common decency”.
According to The Convent, there have been 218 unlawful incursions into British waters by Spanish state vessels during the first six months of 2015.
“The UK continues to take very seriously any attempt by Spain to exercise jurisdiction or control within British Gibraltar Territorial Waters,” the spokesman for The Convent said.
“Incursions are a violation of sovereignty. They do not weaken or undermine the international legal basis for UK sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.”
The vessel – and others like it – has been here before in the past as part of Spain’s efforts to exert jurisdiction within a Spanish EU-designated nature site that overlaps into British waters.
Every time it enters, Royal Navy vessels in Gibraltar, together with other agencies, attend and prevent it from carrying out the research work, which is unlawful in British waters.
Within hours of the events at sea yesterday, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office had
lodged a formal protest at senior level with the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Madrid.
“We have protested the incursion directly to the Spanish authorities at a senior level, making clear that such violations of the UK’s sovereignty are unacceptable,” said a spokesman for The Convent.
“We have also reiterated our concern about the dangerous manner in which the Angeles Alvariño acted.”
“The vessel deployed a survey probe which struck a Royal Navy rigid inflatable hulled boat. It is very fortunate that no-one was hurt and no serious damage was done.”
“We made clear our disappointment that this was a repeat incident of the one in October last year.” The incident had been closely monitored at a very senior level in Spain even prior to the British complaint. Just before 1pm, while the Spanish vessel was still in British waters off the Rock, Ignacio Ybañez, Spain’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, tweeted that the Ángeles Alvariño was conducting scientific studies “in Spanish waters in the bay of Algeciras”.
Yesterday’s incident unfolded in the Bay of Gibraltar and off Europa Point.
There was a tense stand-off involving the research ship, a Guardia Civil vessel and several vessels from Gibraltar, including patrol boats from the Royal Navy, the Royal Gibraltar Police and the Gibraltar Defence Police.
Navy personnel read out warnings to the Spanish vessel urging it to leave. In response, crew on the Ángeles Alvariño said they were conducting scientific work in Spanish waters. The Spanish vessels finally departed British waters after about three hours.
“This was, once again, dangerous and reckless nonsense no doubt orchestrated and applauded at the highest political levels of the current Spanish Government in pursuit of their claim to the sovereignty of our waters, an objective which it will never achieve,” the Chief Minister said.
“It’s not going to happen legally or factually, however many probes they deploy and even former Spanish Ambassadors to the UN have recognised that.”
“Once again, today, lives have been endangered and police and navy time has been wasted by these useless and needlessly provocative activities.”
Mr Picardo said the fact that the incident was unfolding as authorities in Gibraltar held a minute’s silence for the victims of the terror attack in Tunisia demonstrated “extraordinary crassness” and “an forgiveable lack of common decency”.
According to The Convent, there have been 218 unlawful incursions into British waters by Spanish state vessels during the first six months of 2015.
“The UK continues to take very seriously any attempt by Spain to exercise jurisdiction or control within British Gibraltar Territorial Waters,” the spokesman for The Convent said.
“Incursions are a violation of sovereignty. They do not weaken or undermine the international legal basis for UK sovereignty over British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.”
************************************************************************************************
So the question is when will UK, FCO and Our Governor do anything?
When will our Government start to tell UK Government, FCO and Our Governor that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH? NO more letters of protest - ACTION!
Unfortunately we all know too well that until there is a DEATH no-one will do anything!
Please join us in raising the awareness so that those in charge do what they are paid to do!
Gerald Strugglest
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you are a member of the Fascist GE (Facebook group) you are just wasting your time thinking you can comment on here and use this blog as a platform - see ya!