# U.S Trawlers Spot Russian Sub 80 nautical miles west of St. Matthew Island **URL:** \ **Category:** Maritime News\ **Created:** [August 28, 2020, 10:11am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506 "2020-08-28T10:11:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 10:11am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/1 "2020-08-28T10:11:50Z")
> **[Russian submarine surfaces near Alaska during war exercise](https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/2020/08/27/russian-warships-in-bering-sea-cause-stir-among-us-fishing-crews/)** > > The North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command are closely monitoring the submarine, a spokesman said. > A Russian submarine surfaced near Alaska on Thursday during a Russian war game exercise, U.S. military officials said. > Vessel tracking information on Wednesday and Thursday showed a fleet of pollock trawlers and longliners about 80 nautical miles west of St. Matthew Island, on the American side of the boundary. Among the ships are vessels from American Seafoods and Trident Seafoods. Both companies declined to comment on the record. [https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1299285917090426880](https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1299285917090426880) ---
**Author:** ![DavidMT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@DavidMT](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DavidMT)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/2 "2020-08-28T21:32:48Z")
The story states that the sub surfaced in international waters, if this is true, what is the issue? ---
**Author:** ![MAK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MAK](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MAK)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/3 "2020-08-28T21:36:48Z")
We had 4 foreign military ships inside our EEZ interfering with our fishing fleets operation and safe navigation. ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/4 "2020-08-28T22:20:05Z")
It’s their way of saying “a friend of Putin is a friend of ours” and they just wanted to say hello. ---
**Author:** ![DavidMT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@DavidMT](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DavidMT)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 10:21pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/5 "2020-08-28T22:21:12Z")
> [@Kennebec\_Captain](#): > > The current Russian maritime activity is taking place in international waters well outside the U.S. territorial sea. We have not received any requests for assistance from the Russian Navy or other mariners in the area. This is from the article you posted, in what way did the Russian Naval Vessels interfere with U.S. vessels? A ship from any nation may be in the EEZ, you simply may not engage in economic activity, such as oil drilling or fishing ---
**Author:** ![MAK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MAK](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MAK)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/6 "2020-08-28T22:50:40Z")
How much do you know about trawling in general and the Pollock fishery in particular? It’s difficult to know how to answer that without knowing what you know. I was there. They weren’t just out for a casual cruise and happened to have to make passing arrangements with a couple trawlers. They were intentionally being provocative. They attempted to interfere with fishing operations. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/7 "2020-08-29T16:49:34Z")
> **[Russian Submarine Sets Off Alarm Bells After Surfacing Near Alaska Amid Rash...](https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36056/russian-submarine-sets-off-alarm-bells-after-surfacing-near-alaska-amid-rash-of-posturing)** > > Russia is holding its largest naval drills in the Pacific in recent memory as the U.S. Navy's big RIMPAC wargames are underway. > Russia’s Pacific Fleet has claimed that the surfacing of the guided-missile submarine _Omsk_ in the Bering Sea off Alaska yesterday was “routine,” despite it being a highly unusual event that set of alarm bells within the U.S. military. ---
**Author:** ![tengineer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/8 "2020-08-29T17:47:13Z")
> [@Kennebec\_Captain](#): > > Russia’s Pacific Fleet has claimed that the surfacing of the guided-missile submarine _Omsk_ in the Bering Sea off Alaska yesterday was “routine,” despite it being a highly unusual event that set of alarm bells within the U.S. military. “Routine” in Russia speak can mean they had some problems and had to surface while repairs were underway. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 6:57pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/9 "2020-08-29T18:57:20Z")
Or maybe it was just a “Freedom of Navigation” exercise to show that they have the right to operate in internationals waters, just like it says in the UNCLOS? ---
**Author:** ![Bayrunner](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/bayrunner/32/966_2.png) [@Bayrunner](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Bayrunner)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/10 "2020-08-29T19:05:03Z")
> [@Steamer](#): > > It’s their way of saying “a friend of Putin is a friend of ours” and they just wanted to say hello. Get help, you need it. ---
**Author:** ![m\_sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@m\_sailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/m_sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/11 "2020-08-29T20:17:15Z")
> [@MAK](#): > > We had 4 foreign military ships inside our EEZ interfering with our fishing fleets operation and safe navigation. Do you guys keep track of your subsea gear with transponders? Any interference? ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 9:20pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/12 "2020-08-29T21:20:31Z")
The Ruskis are infamous for spoofing trawl sonars and their subs even eject clouds of subsea chaff to create decoy schools of Pollock. ---
**Author:** ![MAK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MAK](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MAK)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 5:32am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/13 "2020-08-30T05:32:54Z")
We do, I’ve never heard of them spoofing a trawl sonar or ‘ejecting clouds of subsea chaff to create a decoy Pollock school’ which sounds like some horseshit somebody made up. Their subs passive sonar can detect our net sounder active sonar a long way off and they stay clear. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 11:17am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/14 "2020-08-30T11:17:17Z")
> **[U.S. investigates 'unprofessional interactions' after Russian military...](https://alaskapublic.org/2020/08/28/u-s-investigates-reports-of-unprofessional-behavior-after-russian-military-ordered-bering-sea-fishermen-to-move/)** > > Vessels reported being buzzed by Russian aircraft and ordered out of the area on a specific heading. The incident has now drawn the attention of both of Alaska’s U.S. senators and an investigation by three federal agencies into what they’re calling... > “Three warships and two support vessels of theirs were coming and would not turn,” Elliott said, in an interview over the Vesteraalen’s satellite phone. “And they came marching right through the fleet.” ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 12:16pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/15 "2020-08-30T12:16:04Z")
Vesteraalen. Nice name for a trawler. Here is the place she is named for: > **[Vesterålen – In the kingdom of the whales](https://www.visitnorway.com/places-to-go/northern-norway/vesteralen/)** > > Vesterålen is characterized by contrasts, from white beaches and idyllic farmlands to craggy mountain peaks rising from the sea. ---
**Author:** ![Steamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Steamer](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Steamer)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2020, 12:45pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/16 "2020-08-30T12:45:04Z")
> [@MAK](#): > > I’ve never heard of them spoofing a trawl sonar or ‘ejecting clouds of subsea chaff to create a decoy Pollock school’ which sounds like some horseshit somebody made up. Guess I shouldn’t have left out the sarcasm emoji. Just never thought anyone would do anything but laugh at the absurdity. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/18 "2020-09-01T12:24:22Z")
The Russian Navy held a major exercise in the area of the Bering Sea, not just a submarine and a few surface ships: > **[Over 50 warships were involved in Russian Navy exercises that surprised...](https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/08/30/over-50-warships-were-involved-in-russian-navy-exercises-that-surprised-alaskan-trawlers/)** > > The exercise included multiple practice missile launches. PS\> The US Navy and USCG were informed in advance and at no time did any Russian warship or aircraft enter US territorial waters/air space. ---
**Author:** ![Kennebec\_Captain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/kennebec_captain/32/13_2.png) [@Kennebec\_Captain](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Kennebec_Captain)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/19 "2020-09-01T14:40:58Z")
> [@ombugge](#): > > The US Navy and USCG were informed in advance Where does that info come from? This is what the linked article says: > The Coast Guard contacted the Alaskan Command at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, which confirmed the ships were there as part of a pre-planned Russian military exercise that was **known to some U.S. military officials** , he said. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/20 "2020-09-01T16:49:49Z")
> [@Kennebec\_Captain](#): > > **known to some U.S. military officials** , When “some in the US Military know” don’t they share that with others? In any case, it is not unusual that Russians exercise in Russian EEZ, but a bit more unusual that the US exercise in the Barents Sea near the Russian Naval Bases in Kola: > **[The US Navy returns to an increasingly militarized Arctic](https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/05/11/the-us-navy-returns-to-an-increasingly-militarized-arctic/)** > > The U.S. Navy is back in the Arctic Circle after being gone for 30 years, reentering a region where questions of international law are becoming increasingly high-stakes. At least it has been unusual until recently. BTW; Isn’t there a treaty about mutual advanced notification on major military exercises? ---
**Author:** ![MAK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MAK](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MAK)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 5:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506/21 "2020-09-01T17:02:18Z")
They were not in the Russian EEZ. Maybe that is a typo on your part. At any rate, the issue is not the presence of Russian military vessels but their behavior. The fishing fleet had been in that area for weeks, in some cases months. There was no call to attempt to interfere with American fishing vessels in our EEZ nor to attempt to exclude us from hundreds of square miles of ocean. If American Navy vessels behaved this way in the Russian EEZ they should be censured as well. This is far from the first time American fishing vessels have encountered Russian Navy vessels. It’s the first time they have attempted to arbitrarily exclude us from conducting fishing operations in our EEZ and hopefully the last. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/u-s-trawlers-spot-russian-sub-80-nautical-miles-west-of-st-matthew-island/56506.md?page=2)