A ROYAL Navy ship fired warning flares at a Spanish vessel harassing a US nuclear submarine trying to dock in Gibraltar, The Sun can reveal.
Insiders blasted the “dangerous” attempt to disrupt the visit last month by Ohio-class ballistic missile sub USS Florida.
A Spanish Guardia Civil patrol boat TWICE tried to sail directly across the front of the sub's path, and had to be sent packing by naval ships.
This latest outrage by Spanish vessels, which perpetually frustrate maritime life around Gibraltar, has outraged senior officials, who have complained to the Spanish authorities.
A top source, said: “This is not only a very dangerous game for the Spanish to play but it is unbecoming of a NATO ally to treat the US Navy with such contempt.
“The US Navy guarantees the security of the Med Sea for all of NATO and ought to be able to damn well visit any port it wants whether its Gibraltar or not.”
Moments after flares were fired a Guardia Civil launch named the Rio Cedeña again tried to pull in front of the sub - and was challenged once more by HMS Sabre, a rigid inflatable craft, who again took action to stop the vessel in its tracks.
The incident happened in mid-April as the American sub came to dock in the British Overseas Territory on the tip of Spain.
It is the first time in two years the Navy have been forced to fire warning flares at a Spanish government vessel, sources said.
The nuclear powered submarine launched more than 90 Tomahawk missiles during the operation to liberate Libya in 2011.
After a short stop she returned to international waters later the same day.
Local ship spotters snapped the second incursion off the coast of Gibraltar.
But the first – in international waters – occurred too far way to be pictured
However, the flare firing was confirmed by senior Royal Navy forces, who blasted the antics.
One insider, said: “We are used to brinkmanship but this flies in the face of any rule book on maritime safety.
“This is a nuclear powered submarine, and trying to disrupt its path is seriously dangerous.”
A spokesman for the Governor’s office, The Convent, confirmed the incursion, “in the vicinity of an incoming submarine.”
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “We don’t comment on force protection measures or submarine operations.”
Gibraltar occupies a commanding position at the western gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and has been an important naval base for more than 1,000 years.
It was captured from Spain by English troops in 1704 during the War of Spanish Succession.
Britain then took formal possession of the limestone outcrop in 1713 after signing the Treaty of Utrecht with Spain.
Admiral Horatio Nelson later used the territory as the base for his attack on Napoleon's Spanish and French forces — leading to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The people of Gibraltar are British citizens and, under its 1969 constitution, there can be no transfer of sovereignty to Spain against residents' wishes.
Despite this, Spain continues to claim sovereignty over the territory, leading to occasional flashpoints.
