China Coast Guard ship shadows PH research vessel

In this photo provided by the Philippine Coast Guard, a Chinese Coast Guard ship sails near a Philippine Coast Guard vessel during its patrol at Bajo de Masinloc, 124 nautical miles west of Zambales province, northwestern Philippines on March 2, 2022. A Chinese coast guard ship last month maneuvered for days near a research vessel deployed by Philippine and Taiwanese scientists to undertake a crucial survey of undersea fault lines west of the northern Philippines, sparking concerns among the scientists on board, officials said Thursday, April 7, 2022. Philippine Coast Guard via AP

A China Coast Guard (CCG) ship continues to shadow the Philippine research vessel conducting a hydrographic survey off Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea.

Based on the automatic identification system (AIS) by SeaLight, as of early Monday, April 15, CCG 5303 has cut its gap from BRP Hydrographer Ventura by sailing at least 1.6 nautical miles from the research vessel.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s (PCG) BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) is close by guarding BRP-H Ventura.

BRP H Ventura has made its initial turn in its survey path. The hydrographic survey started on April 13.

The CCG ship began shadowing the Philippine mission on Sunday and even tried to block the route to the survey area.