Philippines announces findings of investigation into fishing boat collision in the South China Sea.
Philippine authorities have concluded that both the Chinese vessel and the Philippine fishing boat were at fault in the collision in the South China Sea a month ago.
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| The Gemvir-1 fishing vessel after being brought ashore on June 14. Photo:Straits Times. |
The Philippine Coast Guard and Maritime Authority announced on July 6th the results of their investigation into the collision between the Philippine fishing vessel Gemvir-1 and the Chinese vessel at Reed Bank in the Spratly Islands of Vietnam on the night of June 9th. The investigation concluded that the Chinese vessel did not proactively take measures to avoid a collision before striking the Philippine fishing vessel.
The report also indicated that the Philippine vessel had shortcomings, including a lack of proper lookout measures and carrying more people than permitted. According to the report, the 22 crew members of the Gemvir-1 vessel had not received adequate training before going out to sea to fish.
Jay Batongbacal, President of the Philippine Maritime and Law of the Sea University, stated that the investigation was fair to both sides and based on factual data. Jay added that the investigation focused solely on maritime safety issues in the accident.
The Chinese embassy in Manila previously acknowledged that its vessel, the Yuemaobinyu 42212, had rammed the Philippine fishing boat Gemvir-1, carrying 22 crew members, on the night of June 9th. However, Beijing claimed that the Yuemaobinyu 42212 accidentally caused the accident when it was surrounded by a group of Philippine vessels and did not intentionally abandon the Philippine fishermen at sea.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang, at a press briefing on June 20, proposed that Beijing and Manila jointly conduct an investigation into the ship collision to "exchange evidence and handle the issue appropriately through friendly consultations."