Navy boat sinks after ramming cruise ship

[Eldorado]

"A Venezuelan navy coastal patrol boat sank in the Caribbean after allegedly ramming a cruise ship that it had ordered to change direction.

"The owners of the Portuguese-flagged RCGS Resolute said the naval vessel Naiguata also fired shots in an "act of aggression in international waters”.

"The collision left the cruise ship, which has a reinforced hull for sailing in icy waters, with only minor damage.

"Venezuela accused the Resolute of an act of "aggression and piracy"."

Full story at the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-52151951

[+and-then]

Well... that turned out awkward...    

I didn't look for gross displacement or dimensions but as a rule, taking on a MUCH larger vessel in a brawl leads to poor outcomes.

Maduro seems to be behaving a little erratically these days.  Maybe it's the reward Trump put on his head.

[Wistman]

This, in the current climate, seems like a very suspicious event and I'd be skeptical of the scenario as stated.  Since the west (USA) has specific designs on Venezuela, and is ramping up the squeeze during this pandemic crisis, I'd not take the BBC's report as the voice of truth and reason.

[RoofGardener]

ROFL.. the Venezuelan vessel 'Naiguata' sank itself by ramming the Resolute, and now the Venezuelan government is criticising the Resolute for not staying around to rescue the sailors from Naiguata. (despite - it is claimed - the Resolute trying to radio the Naiguata and getting no response). In reality, the Resolute contacted the international Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, and being advised by them that the Venezuelan navy had already rescued the crew. 

What kind of half-assed captain sinks his own ship like this ? 

 

[+and-then]

10 minutes ago, RoofGardener said:

What kind of half-assed captain sinks his own ship like this ?

It's the Machismo at work.

[RoofGardener]

Just now, and then said:

It's the Machismo at work.

Pretty bloody unprofessional though. And it suggests that the Captain had a rather... limited... knowledge of his own vessels capabilities. 

[RoofGardener]

14 hours ago, Eldorado said:

"Venezuela accused the Resolute of an act of "aggression and piracy"."

ROFL. 

Yup, the Resolute VICIOUSLY allowed itself to be rammed, and AGGRESSIVELY didn't sink. And it PIRATICALLY sat there not responding. 

[toast]

Quote

While the RCGS RESOLUTE sustained minor damages, not affecting vessel’s seaworthiness, it occurs that the navy vessel suffered severe damages while making contact with the ice-strengthened bulbous bow of the ice-class expedition cruise vessel RCGS RESOLUTE and started to take water.

Hahaha!

[RoofGardener]

It's like something out of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera