In February 1988,
Caron operating with
Yorktown, entered Soviet 12 miles (19 km)
territorial waters limit in the
Black Seaoff the
Crimean Peninsula. Under
international law, this act could be permissible if the ship was progressing from one point in
international waters to another point in international waters via the shortest course possible, but according to the
Soviet Union, it was the right of the USSR to authorize or prohibit travel in selected areas within the
12 mile limit. The United States however did not recognize the Soviet's claim in this case. To prevent it from becoming accepted precedent, the US Navy claimed that it had sailed warships through such areas at regular intervals in the past, although no reference was provided.
On this occasion,
Caron had on board a Ship's Signal Exploitation Spaces (SSES) system, operated by a crew of 18, supporting the U.S.
National Security Agency. This system was capable of recording data on Soviet defense
radars and communications.
In response, the Soviets deployed a destroyer and a
Mirka II class light frigate as well as many other Soviet Navy, Coast Guard,
KGB and "civilian" ships to intercept the U.S. ships. Soviet aircraft continuously buzzed the
Caron and
Yorktown as smaller vessels weaved to and fro in front of the American ships. Several times, Soviet vessels and aircraft obtained radar "lock" on the
Caron and
Yorktown. Both American ships maintained a constant course and speed throughout the incident. Eventually, the Soviets lightly rammed both ships. No significant damage resulted to any of the ships involved. The Captain of the
Caron Lou Harlow, ordered that painters go over the side to paint over the superficial marks created by the "ramming" within minutes of the event.
But thank you. No! USA does this to almost everyone. It's got the longest nose that it can stretch all the way from the west right up to the East. NSA? Does that ring a bell?
