The crisis began on May 12, 1975, when Khmer Rouge naval forces operating former U.S. Navy "Swift Boats" seized the American container ship SS Mayagüez in recognized international sea lanes claimed as territorial waters by Cambodia and removed its crew for questioning.
The conflict began on May 12, 1975, when Khmer Rouge naval forces seized the American container ship SS Mayagüez using former U.S. Navy "Swift Boats" in international sea lanes that Cambodia claimed as territorial waters and took its crew into custody for questioning.