S-363 finally sent a distress call as the weather worsened while its captain was ashore for questioning. Amid jamming and the distress transmission, reports arrived that Soviet vessels were trying to cross the twelve-nautical-mile limit. The order to hold the border brought coastal batteries and mine stations to action stations, while the air force scrambled and Swedish warships stood ready. The reported contacts turned out to be West German merchant ships with no connection to the Soviet force. The episode shows the escalation risk of uncertain contacts during an already tense confrontation. After ten days, Swedish tugs refloated S-363 and towed it into international waters for the Soviets to recover.
Notable Point · 21:49-23:15
S-363 distress call and a false incursion alarm
A reported Soviet approach during the S-363 crisis mobilized Swedish coastal, naval, and air defences before the contacts proved to be West German merchant ships.