US Coast Guard deployed icebreaker to query Chinese research vessels in Arctic waters

ISTANBUL

The US Coast Guard sent an icebreaker to monitor and query Chinese research vessels operating in Arctic waters near Alaska in recent days, officials said late Wednesday.

The Coast Guard deployed the USCGC Healy, America's largest and most advanced icebreaker, to monitor and query both vessels in separate encounters, the agency said in a statement.

An HC-130J Hercules search and rescue aircraft provided aerial support Sunday during the response, according to the statement.

Coast Guard personnel identified the Chinese-flagged JIDI and Liberia-flagged Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di operating within the US extended continental shelf 230 miles to 265 miles (370 kilometers to 427 kilometers) northwest of Utqiagvik, Alaska, on Sunday and Monday, it said

Coast Guard officials noted the vessels represent two of five Chinese ships recently operating in the Arctic region.