MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“John Cheek” escorted to Comodoro Rivadavia

The Falkland Islands registered fishing vessel “John Cheek” is being escorted to Comodoro Rivadavia after having been boarded Monday morning for allegedly poaching in Argentine waters, according to an official report from the Argentine Coast Guard.

However, Petrel Trawling Limited from Stanley said that "John Cheek" was operating in international waters when it was stopped and boarded by an Argentine Coast Guard vessel and was ordered to proceed to an Argentine port.

"In the interests of crew safety the Master complied and the vessel is underway to Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina", highlights the report.

According to Argentine officials the Coast Guard vessel "Fique" was involved in the boarding after having detected "the presence of "John Cheek" in the Argentine EEZ, 198 nautical miles to the southeast of Comodoro Rivadavia".

"John Cheek" which is carrying "100 tons of squid and hake" has a crew of 31, Chilean, Peruvian and Spanish, said the Argentine Coast Guard report.

However Miguel Angel Reyes, a spokesperson for the Argentine Coast Guard said "the John Cheek" has not committed a crime but an "infraction" and is being escorted to Comodoro Rivadavia for fining.

"The vessel (John Cheek) was not licenced to operate, so the Coast Guard unit caught it "red handed". There was no resistance and our boarding party was allowed on board to check documentation", said Miguel Angel Reyes from the Argentine Coast Guard.