British Couple’s Surreal Encounter with Russian Warship in the Channel

A British retired couple, Jane and Alan Kelvey, had a truly surreal experience while sailing their yacht, the Bright Future, in the English Channel. This unusual incident unfolded about 23 miles off the coast of the Isle of Wight on a Tuesday morning when they found themselves in close proximity to a Russian frigate, the Admiral Grigorovich.

As they sailed, the frigate issued a series of warning signals, blasting its horn five times, a signal that typically means “have you seen us?” Jane recalled how they promptly turned their vessel two degrees to port, signaling to the warship that they had indeed seen it. However, things escalated when, just a minute later, the frigate fired another five blasts followed by four to five warning shots. Thankfully, the couple believed the gunfire wasn’t aimed at them, describing it as warning shots fired into the air.

The Russian Defence Ministry claimed the yacht was on a “dangerous approach” toward the warship. But the Kelveys firmly disagreed, stating they were “definitely not on a collision course.” According to Jane, it wasn’t until the gunfire erupted that they felt any sense of danger. She deemed the gunfire “completely unnecessary” and reported the incident as a navigational hazard, emphasizing the importance of safety at sea.

British authorities, upon receiving reports of the incident, noted that the yacht was about 500 yards away from the warship when the warning shots were fired. This distance is relatively close in nautical terms. The couple’s yacht, noted to be a small, motor-less vessel, had drifted into the path of the frigate amid foggy conditions, which may have contributed to the misunderstanding about their proximity.

A British patrol vessel, HMS Tyne, was dispatched to check on the couple’s safety and gather details about the situation. Victoria Derbyshire from BBC Newsnight, who interviewed the couple, pointed out their bemusement and mild irritation at the Russian Defence Ministry’s characterization of their maritime encounter as a “dangerous collision course.” When asked if the gunfire made them afraid, the Kelvey’s response was surprisingly calm. Jane chuckled, stating she simply crouched down and put her canvas hood over her head for protection while Alan continued to steer the yacht.

Interestingly, this incident happened just days after British forces intercepted a Russian tanker carrying sanctioned oil in the Channel. The Ministry of Defence characterized the warning shots fired by the Admiral Grigorovich as an “isolated incident,” and not connected to the recent seizure of the tanker. Russian warships frequently navigate these waters, and they are routinely monitored by Royal Navy vessels.

The Admiral Grigorovich had been under surveillance by HMS Mersey for several days, as it had been spotted off the coast of Brest, France. It was reported that the frigate had been ordered by Moscow to escort shadow fleet vessels through the Channel, which adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

Former Royal Navy rear admiral James Parkin commented on the use of armed force, suggesting that it is a last resort, typically reserved for self-defense. Parkin speculated that the incident might have been a miscalculation rather than a deliberate act against a British yacht close to British waters.

In a time of mounting tensions between the UK and Russia, this relatively minor incident has taken on greater significance, especially since it coincided with heightened alarm about Russia’s assertive behavior from UK defense ministers. The couple’s experience, while seemingly straightforward, opens up questions about maritime safety and international naval conduct in these increasingly tricky waters.

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber