The USNS Impeccable is an ocean surveillance ship owned by the U.S. Navy. The crew on the USNS Impeccable comprises surveillance and sonar technicians who are civilian and the ship is unarmed.CNN: Pentagon Says Chinese Vessels Harassed U.s. Ship (March 9, 2009)Commander, Undersea Surveillance: At Sea Onboard USNS IMPECCABLE
The Pentagon reported that on March 8, 2009, several Chinese ships came dangerously close to the vessel and "harassed" the crew.BostonHerald.com: Pentagon: Chinese Vessels Harassed Unarmed Ship (March 9, 2009)
Harassed By Chinese Ships
A Chinese intelligence ship along several others surrounded the USNS Impeccable in the waters near the South China Sea on March 8, 2009. The Chinese crew members waived Chinese flags and yelled at the USNS Impeccable to leave.CNN: Pentagon Says Chinese Vessels Harassed U.s. Ship (March 9, 2009) In response, the USNS Impeccable crew sprayed one of the ships with a fire hose. The Chinese men on the ship took their clothes off and continued to approach the ship as close as 25 feet.BostonHerald.com: Pentagon: Chinese Vessels Harassed Unarmed Ship (March 9, 2009)
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Fast Facts
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Owned by the U.S. Navy
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Is a part of the Military Sealift Command's Special Mission Program
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Is one of the Navy's five ocean surveillance ships that detect undersea threats Special Mission Program
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Crew consists of merchant marines, surveillance towed array sensor system operations technicians and U.S. Navy sonar techniciansCommander, Undersea Surveillance: At Sea Onboard USNS IMPECCABLE
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Officially named the USNS Impeccable on November 1, 2000, at Halter Marine in Pasacagoula, MississippiOfficial Site: USNS Impeccable Christened Nov. 1 (November 3, 2000)
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Harassed by Chinese ships on March 8, 2009
