A slow-moving vessel from the Servicio de Vigilancia Aduanera passed unchallenged through BGTW at 16:40 this afternoon.

Although it didn’t linger, change course or attempt to take executive action, it is these types of slow patrols that have prompted the Government to commission expert legal opinion on this specific aspect of the law of the sea and the relevant UN conventions.

According to a Government press release on Monday, Spanish state vessels have entered BGTW 69 times so far in November.

Editor's note: Since publication, the MOD has clarified that, even though the Royal Navy may not be present on the water, this does not mean that vessels are not monitored or challenged. In fact, says the MOD, this particular vessel was monitored and challenged as per its standard operating procedures.