These are external links and will open in a new windowA 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". The vessel was eleven days into an eastbound transit along the Northwest Passage with 149 passengers and 110 crew, and had stopped at Gjoa Havento let passengers ashore. These are external links and will open in a new window Venezuela accused the Resolute of an act of "aggression and piracy". Trump administration targets Venezuela's President and other top officials However, the RCGS Resolute is reinforced with steel plating to help it navigate through ice. The RCGS Resolute, currently in Curaçao, sustained minor damage to its bow The RCGS Resolute, currently in Curaçao, sustained minor damage to its bow Venezuela Navy Patrol Ship ANBV NAIGUATA (GCG-23) sank after collision with cruise ship RCGS RESOLUTE early in the morning Mar 30 northwest of La Tortuga island, Venezuela, Caribbean. "The navy vessel continued to ram the starboard bow in an apparent attempt to turn the ship’s head towards Venezuelan territorial waters. It also said it "did not rule out" that the cruise ship "was transporting mercenaries to attack military bases in Venezuela". "Although the Resolute - a purpose-built polar expedition vessel - suffered minor damage, the patrol boat began taking on water after hitting its bulbous bow, according to the statement.Columbia Cruise Services said the Resolute remained in the area for more than an hour and contacted rescue co-ordinators on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. A Venezuelan warship sank after a disastrous attempt to ram a German-owned cruise ship in the Caribbean Sea, it is alleged. Unknowingly to the crew, a green buoy marking a shallow shoal had not been removed after the previous navigating season and, over the winter months, had been moved to the northeast by about 200 metres (220 yd) by drifting ice. It also said it "did not rule out" that the cruise ship "was transporting mercenaries to attack military bases in Venezuela".President Nicolás Maduro has previously accused the United States and other countries of plotting to overthrow him.The incident took place near La Tortuga Island, a Venezuelan federal dependency, on 30 March.Columbia Cruise Services, which operates the Resolute, said the cruise ship had been carrying out routine engine maintenance in international waters more than 13 nautical miles (24km) from La Tortuga. The Venezuelan warship, called the Naiguata, intercepted the RCGS Resolute off the coast of Venezuela shortly after midnight on March 30, according to statements from both parties. These are external links and will open in a new window Shortly after departure, H… Read More The crew of the cruise liner RGCS Resolute … It also said it "did not rule out" that the cruise ship "was transporting mercenaries to attack military bases in Venezuela". Patrol ship was patrolling whatever she was patrolling, cruise ship was on Buenos Aires – Willemstad Curacao run, berthing there same day. According to Venezuelan Military command, RCGS RESOLUTE “in a … "While the master was in contact with the head office, gunshots were fired and, shortly thereafter, the navy vessel approached the starboard side at speed... and purposely collided with the RCGS Resolute," it added. The government of Venezuela identified the lost vessel as the 1,500 tonne, 80-meter patrol ship Naiguata, and it has accused Resolute of improperly departing the scene after the casualty. "The navy vessel continued to ram the starboard bow in an apparent attempt to turn the ship’s head towards Venezuelan territorial waters. All attempts to contact the Naiguata went unanswered and the Resolute eventually sailed to Willemstad on Curaçao, it added.It said all the crew of the Naiguata had been rescued, but did not give details.President Maduro said an investigation had been launched and he expected "maximum collaboration" from authorities in Curaçao.The prime minister is to ask for early elections amid the crisis over Tuesday's devastating blast. Venezuela accused the Resolute of an act of "aggression and piracy". "While the master was in contact with the head office, gunshots were fired and, shortly thereafter, the navy vessel approached the starboard side at speed... and purposely collided with the RCGS Resolute," it added. On 29 August 1996, Hanseatic ran aground in Simpson Strait in the Canadian Arctic.
"Although the Resolute - a purpose-built polar expedition vessel - suffered minor damage, the patrol boat began taking on water after hitting its bulbous bow, according to the statement.Columbia Cruise Services said the Resolute remained in the area for more than an hour and contacted rescue co-ordinators on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. All attempts to contact the Naiguata went unanswered and the Resolute eventually sailed to Willemstad on Curaçao, it added.It said all the crew of the Naiguata had been rescued, but did not give details.President Maduro said an investigation had been launched and he expected "maximum collaboration" from authorities in Curaçao.The prime minister is to ask for early elections amid the crisis over Tuesday's devastating blast.