Chinese maritime militia vessels have departed from Panatag Shoal as Typhoon Enteng moves towards the West Philippine Sea.
According to US maritime security expert and West Philippine Sea monitor Ray Powell, six Qiong Sansha Yu Chinese maritime militia vessels have returned to Hainan Island in China from Panatag Shoal.
However, the presence of the 111-meter China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3305 was maintained at the shoal.
Powell suggested that larger Coast Guard vessels are better equipped to withstand typhoons compared to militia vessels.
On Monday, a second CCG vessel with hull number 3106 was also spotted at Panatag Shoal, but its automatic identification system was turned off, placing it in a “dark position.”
As a result, the exact location of this Chinese vessel on Tuesday could not be confirmed. However, Powell indicated that it is possible the vessel remained in the area.