Photo: China Coast Guard

A total of 17 suspects from a fishing boat, suspected of illegal operations and resisting law enforcement violently, were recently apprehended by the Beihai branch of the China Coast Guard (CCG) during a patrol mission in the central part of the Yellow Sea, the CCG said on its official WeChat account on Saturday. 

According to the CCG, the Shishan vessel from the sixth bureau affiliated with the Beihai branch spotted a fishing boat engaging in suspicious activity during its patrol around 10 am on November 16. The CCG vessel approached the fishing boat and ordered the vessel to stop via loudspeaker for inspection. However, the fishing boat refused to comply and attempted to evade inspection. 

Under the instruction from its superior, the Shishan vessel used multiple tactics to force the fishing boat to stop. Nevertheless, the fishing boat not only refused to stop but also deliberately rammed the Shishan ship multiple times, posing a serious safety threat to the law enforcement vessel and its crew. Facing with such brazen illegal behavior, the Shishan ship initiated decisive measures. 

Around 2 pm, the CCG ship approached the illegal fishing boat by utilizing its tonnage advantage. Three law enforcement officers seized the opportunity to board the fishing boat, and successfully brought the boat under control. Upon inspection, the law enforcement personnel uncovered several violations committed by the fishing boat. 

As of now, the fishing boat involved in the case has been lawfully impounded by authorities, and the case is currently under further investigation. 

Global Times