Maritime stand off as Royal Navy patrol boat fires flares warning to Spanish research vessel after it carried out dangerous manoeuvres on the Bay Of Gibraltar

The Spanish authorities has been accused of political manoeuvering within the Bay of Gibraltar after a Royal Navy patrol boat compelled a analysis vessel from British waters following a tense stand off.

Spanish oceanographers on board the Angeles Alvariño illegally anchored in British waters and tried to drop a sonar buoy shortly after noon on Sunday.

A Gibraltar Squadron speedboat was scrambled to cease them because the HMS Sabre fired three warning flares after radio contact failed.

The analysis vessel, which is surveying an underwater canyon within the bay, finally left British waters after the stand off. 

Spanish oceanographers on board the Angeles Alvariño (pictured) illegally anchored in British waters and tried to drop a buoy shortly after noon on Sunday

Locals say these types of incursions have been occurring day by day for the final week or so and so they worry the Spanish authorities is utilizing the scientists to make a political assertion. 

Dr John Cortes, Gibraltar's Minister for the Surroundings, stated that the manoeuvers are an try and additional Spanish jurisdictional claims within the space.

He wrote on Twitter: 'It hurts to see scientists being compelled/tricked into enjoying harmful video games, falsely within the identify of science. There's methods to do science.'

Spanish scientist Señor Díaz-del-Rio hit again saying the 'necessary analysis' was being performed in Spanish waters. 

A Gibraltar resident instructed MailOnline: 'This has been occurring each day for a couple of week now. The vessel sails into our waters - which is illegitimate - after which anchors for a number of hours.

'That is very harmful and regarding for the locals as a result of it disrupts visitors within the very busy port.

'It is a present of energy and a political transfer by the Spanish authorities as a result of the water is disputed of their eyes.'

A Gibraltar Squadron speedboat was scrambled to cease the sonar buoy being dropped into the water

A British authorities spokesman stated: 'The Royal Navy challenges all illegal maritime incursions into British Gibraltar Territorial Waters (BGTW). 

'We again this up by making formal diplomatic protests to the Spanish authorities.'

The difficulty has been dropped at the eye to Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, who has been in touch with Commander of British Forces, Commodore Mike Walliker.

'I've mentioned all of the tactical choices taken and am glad that they've been designed to show untrammelled sovereignty jurisdiction and management over British Gibraltar territorial waters,' Mr Picardo stated.

A Gibraltar Squadron speedboat was scrambled to cease the Spanish ship (pictured) because the HMS Sabre fired three warning flares

Dr John Cortes, Gibraltar's Minister for the Surroundings, stated that the maneuvers are an try and additional Spanish jurisdictional claims within the space

'I congratulate the Royal Navy for the work they've undertaken up to now in very difficult circumstances in gentle of the reckless disregard for security displayed by the official Spanish vessels concerned.'

'Diplomatic and political motion should now assist the superb work undertaken by the navy personnel with restricted sources.' 

Gibraltar is a British territory that was captured from Spain in 1704 through the Battle of the Spanish Succession.

Gibraltarians overwhelmingly rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in 1967 and in a referendum in 2002 when 98.97 per cent answered 'no' to the query: 'Do you approve of the precept that Britain and Spain ought to share sovereignty over Gibraltar?'

Gibraltar is a British territory that was captured from Spain in 1704 through the Battle of the Spanish Succession

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