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[Shiggy]

The Royal Navy has fired flares at a Spanish research vessel after it strayed into British Gibraltar territorial waters.

HMS Sabre gave the warning to Angeles Alvarino after attempts to contact it by radio failed.

The research vessel, which is investigating the geological risks to the seabed, left British waters after the flares were fired.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “The Royal Navy challenges all unlawful maritime incursions into British Gibraltar territorial waters (BGTW). We back this up by making formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish government.”

Gibraltar’s chief minister, Fabian Picardo, said he had been in contact with the commander of British Forces, Cdre Mike Walliker.

He said: “I have discussed all the tactical decisions taken and am satisfied that they have been designed to demonstrate untrammelled sovereignty, jurisdiction and control over BGTW.

“I congratulate the Royal Navy for the work they have undertaken so far in very challenging circumstances in light of the reckless disregard for safety displayed by the official Spanish vessels involved.

“Diplomatic and political action must now support the excellent work undertaken by the navy personnel with limited resources.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...panish-vessel-in-british-waters-off-gibraltar


One member of the research crew said on Twitter:

Don´t shoot @RoyalNavy! We are only oceanographers searching #BayOfAlgeciras!

https://twitter.com/v_diazdelrio/status/800399554516582400


Great to see this happen between 'allies'.

 

[Jezbollah]

Spain and the UK are far from allies when it comes to Gibraltar. It's been a matter of contention (and spurious incidents like this) for decades.

 

[Jonnax]

Well with Brexit Spain is likely to be itching to get complete control over Gibraltar.

 

[Tugatrix]

Teresa May is trying to pull a Tatcher?

 

[LOZLINK]

This timing of this is quite appropriate as I'm currently in the back half of season 3 or black sails

 

[Jezbollah]

This timing of this is quite appropriate as I'm currently in the back half of season 3 or black sails

Oh shit. I was told to watch Black Sails only yesterday. Need to add it to the list.

 

[Shiggy]

This timing of this is quite appropriate as I'm currently in the back half of season 3 or black sails

I knew it was your fault.

 

[veryslowhand]

As a spaniar, UK pls stop , give us back the rock.

 

[Funky Papa]

As a spaniar, UK pls stop , give us back the rock.

Come on now. Nobody gives a toss about it. They can keep it and the monkeys.

About those "British Gibraltar territorial waters", though...

 

[Moosichu]

As a spaniar, UK pls stop , give us back the rock.

? The people living there have been doing so for years and don't want that.

 

[Chariot]

Come on Spain, make an open statement that you would support an independent Scotland entering the EU (when the independence happens within the due process).

 

[Charles Brandon]

As a spaniar, UK pls stop , give us back the rock.

As an Englishman, why don't you come and get it (if you think you're hard enough)?

 

[Nivash]

Teresa May is trying to pull a Tatcher?

A war against Spanish speaking people with a female PM in charge of a navy barely capable of conducting it, about a rock with barely any people but where the people want to remain British despite being geographically closer to the enemy country, and with both being remnants of the old imperial possessions?

Gotta say, the similarities are striking.

 

[kmag]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...panish-vessel-in-british-waters-off-gibraltar


One member of the research crew said on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/v_diazdelrio/status/800399554516582400


Great to see this happen between 'allies'.

Don't worry come 2019 the Royal Navy will be essentially defenceless so this type of misunderstanding won't be much of a risk.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/11/16/royal_navy_harpoon_missile_2018_withdrawal_no_replacement/

 

[veryslowhand]

You can keep the monkeys, give us all your tax free booze and cigs.

 

[frankie_baby]

As a spaniar, UK pls stop , give us back the rock.

Yeah ok, just as soon as you give your country to france, you are attached to the bottom of it so same principle

 

[Juicy Bob]

Glad to see the British Empire is still fucking shit up all these years later. :/

 

[Symphonia]

Great to see this happen between 'allies'.

You don't know much about the history of/battle for Gibraltar, do you? As far as that rock is concerned, the UK and Spain have never been allies. And with all this Brexit fiasco going on, the animosity between the two will only get worse. Also, I lol'd at the Spanish tweeting the Navy. That's exactly the thing to do in an emergency...

 

[veryslowhand]

Yeah ok, just as soon as you give your country to france, you are attached to the bottom of it so same principle

Not same thing UK stole the rock from us.

 

[Hawaiian Punch]

As a spaniar, UK pls stop , give us back the rock.

Well then, Morocco might like Ceuta and Melilla back.

 

[frankie_baby]

Not same thing UK stole the rock from us.

All land is theft is at some point in history

 

[veryslowhand]

Well then, Morocco might like Ceuta and Melilla back.

Morocco could give us back sahara too

 

[MJLord]

Not same thing UK stole the rock from us.

Pretty sure it was paid for...

 

[Funky Papa]

Not same thing UK stole the rock from us.

Speaking as a Spaniard, that's a stupid thing to say and I'm glad you are in the minority.

Now, those pesky territorial waters are a whole different thing. Gibraltar has no right to them and they should be contested as such.

 

[veryslowhand]

Speaking as a Spaniard, that's a stupid thing to say and I'm glad you are in the minority.

Venga ya hombre

 

[Funky Papa]

Venga ya hombre

A peace treaty is a peace treaty either you like it or not. Denying it would mean to deny pretty much any border in this world.

Well then, Morocco might like Ceuta and Melilla back.

Morocco has the same right to Ceuta and Melilla (and Western Sahara for that matter) as Spain has to Gibraltar: fuck and all.

 

[Coxy100]

As a spaniar, UK pls stop , give us back the rock.

Why - if the people who live there don't want that?

 

[Moosichu]

Speaking as a Spaniard, that's a stupid thing to say and I'm glad you are in the minority.

Now, those pesky territorial waters are a whole different thing. Gibraltar has no right to them and they should be contested as such.

Yeah. Turning away research vessels seems extra ordinarily petty. :/ What is so special about the waters?

 

[Timedog]

As an Englishman, why don't you come and get it (if you think you're hard enough)?

Whoa, this is a line from a Top Gun porn parody. Wow.

 

[veryslowhand]

Just wanted to say I was kidding I'm not one of THOSE Spaniard.

 

[Machina]

What fucking year is it, 1585?

 

[Funky Papa]

The debate about Gibraltar would be much healthier if everybody got into their noggins that neither the British government nor the Spanish one have any genuine interest in the place nor the wellbeing of their inhabitants.

The UK was ready to do them dirty until Franco doubled down on the stupid and the Spanish's government (specially when conservatives are the ones running things) will only use it as a tool of distraction.

It's principal value is geopolitical posturing for some noxious and manipulative politicians.

 

[Patrick S.]

While we are at it, let's give the American continent back to the Native Americans

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

and we sure have some noxious politicians in the uk right now.

 

[Funky Papa]

Just wanted to say I was kidding I'm not one of THOSE Spaniard.

So you were trolling. Unwise.

 

[Marky Mark]

i know nothing about the history of gibraltar but boy did this thread get heavy quickl

 

[Violet_0]

whatever happened to radio communication

 

[Bollocks]

Trump help us

 

[Fuzzery]

whatever happened to radio communication

They shoulda sent em a snapchat instead

 

[danowat]

I've just got a mental picture of sailors using a t-shirt canon to fire bell bottomed trousers at the Spanish ship.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

Yeah. Turning away research vessels seems extra ordinarily petty. :/ What is so special about the waters?

I don't think so. If you don't establish that you need Royal Navy permission to enter those waters, whoever you are, then you don't really have control over them.

Edit:

Anyway, I don't see the problem here. Unauthorised boat crossed a line, we fired flares, they went away. Everything seems to have worked fine, hardly an international incident.

 

[Kinyou]

Don´t shoot @RoyalNavy! We are only oceanographers searching #BayOfAlgeciras!

Whoever manages the navy PR twitter account must have been a bit confused when they received that

 

[StrategyFan]

What fucking year is it, 1585?

my thoughts exactly

 

[Subpar Scrub]

whatever happened to radio communication

Did you read the OP?

 

[ClosingADoor]

HMS Sabre gave the warning to Angeles Alvarino after attempts to contact it by radio failed.

Maybe answer the radio next time then.

 

[Funky Papa]

Maybe answer the radio next time then.

Maybe abide by treaties then

The issue of Gibraltar's territorial waters is going to be a fun one once the UK exits the Union.

 

[AP90]

Don't worry come 2019 the Royal Navy will be essentially defenceless so this type of misunderstanding won't be much of a risk.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/11/16/royal_navy_harpoon_missile_2018_withdrawal_no_replacement/

They will prob buy anything they need from allies or the US if it comes down to it.

 

[Mik2121]

Regarding the Gibraltar talk, as Funky Papa said, they can have it and all their monkeys. That piece of rock is not worth any dispute with the UK. The waters are a different issue though, but any Spaniard saying "Gibraltar Español" is just trying to provoke more than anything.

 

[Violet_0]

Did you read the OP?

oh, second line, missed it oops

 

[Strax]

Kinda strange fighting over this rock went both Spain and England have massive problems with parts of their countries wanting independence