Ramming of Chinese vessel to a Philippine fishing boat that caused its sinking
The incident heightened South China Sea tensions as Philippine authorities found China's vessel violated maritime law by ramming a fishing boat and abandoning its crew.
Key Facts
- Date
- 9 June 2019
- Philippine vessel
- F/B Gem-Ver
- Chinese vessel
- Yuemaobinyu 42212
- Location
- Reed Bank, South China Sea
- Rescue party
- Vietnamese fishing vessel
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
A Chinese fishing vessel, Yuemaobinyu 42212, approached Reed Bank in the South China Sea, where the Philippine fishing boat F/B Gem-Ver was anchored. The Chinese vessel failed to undertake measures to avoid a collision, as later determined by a Philippine independent investigation.
In the early morning hours of 9 June 2019, Yuemaobinyu 42212 rammed the anchored F/B Gem-Ver at Reed Bank, causing the Philippine fishing boat to sink. The Chinese vessel then abandoned the stricken crew, in violation of international maritime law.
The F/B Gem-Ver's crew was ultimately rescued by a Vietnamese fishing vessel rather than by the Chinese ship responsible. Philippine authorities concluded that China's vessel had violated maritime laws, intensifying diplomatic friction over conduct in the disputed South China Sea.