Naval patrols in armies around the world play a crucial role in protecting maritime borders and safeguarding their nation’s assets. This was exemplified by a Venezuelan naval patrol boat that, after suspecting a cruise ship, ended up in a comical accident after colliding with the ship it was ordering to change course, leading to the patrol boat sinking and causing only minor damage to the cruise ship.

The incident occurred in March 2020 when the cruise ship “Resolute” was positioned about 24 kilometers off the coast of Venezuela’s La Tortuga Island. The Venezuelan naval vessel, suspecting the cruise ship of suspicious activities, fired upon it in what the Portuguese-flagged ship’s company described as an unprovoked and aggressive action in international waters, merely because the ship was undergoing routine engine maintenance. Shortly after midnight, the naval vessel sent a radio message to the “Resolute,” alleging suspicious intentions and ordered the captain to proceed to a port in Margarita Island to the east. While the ship’s captain was in contact with the company’s headquarters, the naval vessel fired shots at it. Shortly after, the naval boat deliberately rammed the cruise ship from the starboard side in an apparent attempt to steer it towards Venezuelan territorial waters. Despite minor damage to the cruise ship, the patrol boat retreated and began to sink due to water ingress from the collision. The “Resolute” remained in the area for over an hour and contacted rescue coordinators in Curacao, Dutch Caribbean, for help. Despite repeated attempts, no response was received, and the ship eventually sailed to Willemstad in Curacao.

On the other hand, the Venezuelan military issued a statement accusing those aboard the cruise ship of committing acts of aggression and piracy, alleging criminal and cowardly behavior for not assisting the crew. The statement added that all members of the patrol boat’s crew were rescued, though no further details were provided. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez accused the cruise ship of causing the patrol boat’s sinking and did not rule out the possibility that the cruise ship was transporting mercenaries to attack military bases in Venezuela. This accusation followed previous claims by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that the United States and other countries were conspiring to overthrow him. Maduro stated that an investigation had begun and he expected “full cooperation” from authorities in Curacao to uncover the truth.