Sinking of the Chian-der 3, Maritime incident site in South Atlantic Ocean, Argentina
The Chian-der 3 was a Taiwanese fishing trawler operating in disputed waters of the South Atlantic off Argentina's coast. The vessel was sunk by the Argentine patrol boat PNA Prefecto Derbes and rests on the seafloor roughly 24 nautical miles beyond the British exclusion zone surrounding the Falkland Islands.
On May 28, 1986, the fishing vessel was detected operating illegally in disputed waters. The exchange with the Argentine patrol boat resulted in the ship's sinking with two fatalities and four people injured.
The incident sparked international tensions between Taiwan, Argentina, and the United Kingdom regarding fishing rights in the South Atlantic waters.
The sinking site lies in open ocean waters and is accessible only by boat, making regular visits impractical for tourists. Those interested in learning more can visit maritime museums or consult shipwreck databases for detailed information.
Argentine authorities used non-explosive ammunition during the incident, which contributed to the vessel's sinking after smoke emerged from the engine room. This became a rare case where conventional gunfire led to a naval engagement that strained diplomatic ties between three countries.
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