Editing Operation Megaphone (section)

==Boarding==

Negotiations continued between the Canadian government and the shippers, however an ultimatum was given and the three contractors failed to reach an agreement by a certain deadline, according to [[Art Eggleton]], then the Minister of National Defence.<ref name=cbc>{{cite web |title=GTA Katie puts in to Quebec | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/gts-katie-putts-into-quebec-1.218428 |work=CBC News |date=10 August 2000 | access-date=29 December 2010}}</ref>

A diplomatic note was sent to the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where the ship was registered, who authorized Canadians to board the vessel.<ref name=cefcom/><ref name=ind/>

On 30 July, the destroyer {{HMCS|Athabaskan|DDG 282|6}} received orders to close with ''Katie'' about 225 kilometres off Newfoundland, in international waters, and maintain visual contact with her.<ref name=cefcom/><ref name=ind/>  The following day, the frigate {{HMCS|Montréal|FFH 336|6}} joined ''Athabaskan''.

At 1:45 pm on 3 August, fourteen sailors boarded ''Katie'' in a helicopter-borne assault from a [[Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King|Sea King]], led by [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] [[Drew Robertson]], during which the crew of ''Katie'' offered no resistance.<ref name=cefcom/><ref name=ind/>  Captain Khlebnikov would later complain the boarding of the ship was "dangerous" and described the boarding as an "attack", although Captain Robertson had observed that ''Katie'' began erratic, evasive manoeuvering after being warned of the imminent boarding.<ref name=ind/><ref name=cbc3>{{cite web | title=GTS Katie Standoff Ends | url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/g-t-s-katie-standoff-ends-1.232542 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108160437/http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2000/08/03/ns_katie000803.html | url-status=live | archive-date=November 8, 2012 | work=CBC News |date=3 August 2000 | access-date=29 December 2010 }}</ref>

Defence Minister Eggleton described the action as "fully within the bounds of international law."<ref name=cbc3/>