Comments on: USNS Impeccable

By: DJ Elliott

DJ Elliott — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:02:08 +0000

China claims most of the SCS. They consider the Spratleys to be theirs and consider them to be Islands.

The US does not recognize any of the seven nation’s disputed claims on the Spratleys because, we consider them to be Reefs. They are underwater at high tide. Installations and Outposts are usually built on stilts there…

By: Flanker

Flanker — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 06:19:46 +0000

I AM NOT a Falkner! (elephant trumpeting sounds)! LOL!

PS: Good info HL!

By: 11Bravo

11Bravo — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:22:37 +0000

Time is on China’s side. No need for a confrontation now.

By: James

James — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 02:36:56 +0000

As I lay dying Faulkner….I cannot help but think, tts a backdoor way to claiming the territory. If the Chinese can bully the US out of the area, then they win the prize. As long as the US ignores the claim and protects freedom of navigation the legal contest continues over who “owns” the islands.

By: Heartless Libertarian

Heartless Libertarian — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:00:26 +0000

They were not within Chinese territorial waters (12 mile limit), but were within the ‘Exclusive Economic Zone’ (EEZ).

Now, what that means apparently depends on what sections of international maritime law you want to look at. Traditionally, waters outside of territorial waters are free for transit and non-economic use (ie, no fishing, drilling, mining, etc) by all.

Now, the Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST), which China is a signatory to, but the US is not, also apparently can be read multiple ways, depending on which of the 320 sections and multiple annexes you’re looking at, and how you choose to interpret it. Some parts can be read to give nations a good bit of power in restricting what goes on in their EEZs.

Obviously, the US view favors free navigation and use, whilst the Chinese favors restrictions.

My guess is that 1) China is testing the new administration, just like they did 8 years ago; and 2) they either had a sub (or subs) in the area, or will soon, that they don’t want us listening to.

By: GeekLethal

GeekLethal — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:52:32 +0000

Well judging by the enthusiastic response on the part of the Chinese, it seems Impeccable is half decent at what it does.

By: Captain Ned

Captain Ned — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:22:19 +0000

Impeccable and her sisters are SURTASS (SURveillance Towed Array Sensor System) boats. They tow big sonar arrays behind them looking for subs. They supplement the SOSUS detection network. With their blazing 12 knot top speed, they’ll not last long if and when someone wants them sunk.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SURTASS

By: Kristopher

Kristopher — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:38:24 +0000

Mee too! Them dam illiterates shouldn’t poast.

By: Nicholas

Nicholas — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:00:17 +0000

I agree with Falkner.

By: Flanker

Flanker — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:14:57 +0000

Damn! Which illiterate typed that last entry! LOL!