Cao Yu
On July 1, 1997, "Basswood" began pursuit of the fishing vessel "Cao Yu No. 6025". The "Cao Yu" was sighted by a Canadian Air Force P-3 crew on June 26 about 1,500 miles northwest of Midway Island apparently engaged in illegal driftnet fishing. US Coast Guard and Navy aircraft surveilled the ship before it was intercepted by "Basswood", which followed the fishing vessel for some 1,500 miles. Contrary to the master's claims, the People's Republic of China denied that the vessel was registered there and, therefore, the Coast Guard determined that it was flagless and subject to boarding. The "Cao Yu" "aggressively" resisted but crew from "Basswood" and the USCGC "Chase" nevertheless boarded the "Cao Yu" on July 10 near the Japanese island of Kyushu and seized a 120-ton catch of mostly albacore tuna along with illegal driftnets. The "Cao Yu's" crew was taken aboard the "Chase" and transported to Guam. "Basswood" towed the "Cao Yu" to Guam where it was sold at auction, the ship's master was prosecuted for resisting the Coast Guard boarding.