Dan Snow's History Hit The Cod Wars
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Dec 16, 2024 William Reynolds, a Lecturer in Defence Studies at King's College London and an expert on maritime conflicts, dives deep into the peculiar Cod Wars. He reveals how fish sparked fierce naval confrontations between British fishermen and the Icelandic Coast Guard. Tactics included ramming ships and even live fire, shaking NATO’s foundations. Reynolds highlights the economic stakes, Iceland's strategic victories, and the broader implications for maritime law and international relations between the UK and Iceland.
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Northern Foam Incident
- The first Cod War involved a trawler called the Northern Foam.
- A crewman locked himself in the engine room, threatening violence with an axe.
Challenges of Arrests at Sea
- Arresting a vessel at sea is difficult, especially in rough conditions like the North Sea.
- Resistance from crews and the danger of falling overboard complicate matters.
Ramming Tactics
- Ships used ramming as a tactic, leading to significant damage.
- One incident involved a ship going from 30 knots to 0, suggesting intentional collision.