Further images (click here) show extent of damage to tanker FRONT ALTAIR starboard side via @isna_farsi https://bit.ly/2X95iPg
It looks similar to the attack on the USS Cole. That was a terrorist attack. This is at sea which raises questions of underwater mines, but, I think the owner of the tanker needs to be heard from.
In the film loop there doesn't appear to be an oil slick. An empty tanker?
The white substance coming out of the front of the tanker, I believe is ballast water. The measure it an attempt to keep the tanker afloat while taking on water at the rupture site.
The pictures at this site and the film loop are Iranian in origin. That doesn't mean anything except the Iranians are reporting on it.
The obvious statement about this incident can be summed up by stating, the takers haven't received any greater increment of safety in these waters.
13 June 2019
Iran said it rescued the 21 crew members (click here) on board the Kokuka Courageous and the 23 on the Front Altair, though the US said its Navy had rescued some.
The cause of the blasts in one of the world's busiest oil routes is unclear and both vessels are still afloat.
The incident comes a month after four oil tankers were attacked off the UAE....
What is happening with Somali pirate attacks? They aren't known for attacks in the Gulf of Oman, but, it is a possibility that needs to be explored.
It isn't in Iran's best interest to sink oil tankers.
The reason it is reasonable to explore terrorist attacks is that they were somewhat driven out of traditional Somali pirate territory by the formation of the "Maritime Security Patrol."
The Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command has issued the following press release:
Manama, Bahrain - The Commander, (click here) U.S. Naval Central Command has directed the establishment of a Maritime Security Patrol Area (MSPA) in the Gulf of Aden. A force of Coalition Navy warships will patrol the area, and aircraft will fly in the airspace above.
Commodore Bob Davidson (Canadian Navy), commander Combined Task Force 150, will command naval forces in the patrol area.
The MSPA is being established in support of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) ongoing efforts. Coalition actions will give the IMO time to work international preventative efforts that will ultimately lead to a long-term solution.
Coalition ships are in the area as part of our continual presence in this region. While they have conducted routine operations in the area in the past, the establishment of the MSPA will focus the efforts to counter destabilizing activities in the region and improve security while long-term initiatives mature....
A news source is stating the attacks were carried out by "unidentified attackers." The Cole. It is an accomplishment that attackers could sail into an open sea and attack tankers at will.
June 13, 2019
Two tankers were targeted by unidentified attackers (click here) near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, one operated by a Japanese company, industry minister Hiroshige Seko said.
All 21 Filipino crew members of the Japan-operated Kokuka Courageous escaped uninjured in life rafts and were rescued by a ship heading to the United Arab Emirates, according to the ship's operator, Kokuka Sangyo Co.
The survivors of the Japanese tanker "Kokuka Courageous" are in the UAE.
The 19,349-ton tanker was carrying methanol (LNG) from Saudi Arabia to Singapore when it was attacked in the Gulf of Oman, near the UAE emirate of Fujairah, according to Kokuka Sangyo.
The LNG would explain why there is no oil slick. The LNG will turn to vapor when exposed to water or air.
The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet said it received distress signals from the Kokuka Courageous and another tanker chartered by a Taiwanese firm at 6:12 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
A hole that appeared to have been caused by some kind of artillery shell was found on the ship, the company said, adding that a fire broke out in the ship's engine room but was extinguished by the crew before they abandoned ship....
This region of the world is very susceptible to attacks by nearly anyone with a grudge. It is interesting these vessels were attacked considering they were probably expected to explode in a larger tragedy.
The other tanker had a chemical on board. To me, that narrows the issue to terrorists because the cargo was expected to cause a huge tragedy. That didn't happen because the tankers are constructed to prevent larger tragedies, but, naive terrorists would not think about that.
It is my opinion, in order to reduce the chances of terrorists being successful, there needs to be a regular visit by a mine sweeper and far better patrols in the region to end the danger of these terrorists. Such an operation will no doubt require the USA. There needs to be clear understandings between regional countries that the USA is immune to suspect activity to end these assaults.
I would not doubt that Daesh is involved in this, however, the tankers are affiliated with Western interests. Tiawan is considered a friend to The West regardless of any "One China Policy." I think The West has a right to secure it's interests in the area and need to provide transparency of it's activities to regional countries to improve trust and allow reports of suspects and otherwise to come forward.
These efforts DO NOT REQUIRE B52 BOMBERS. Such aggression will only inhibit valuable relationships to combat terrorism. If this is some kind of terrorist attack, it is in the best interest of all the regional countries to work together, NO DIFFERENT WHEN COMBATTING DAESH ON LAND, to end this danger to shipping.
Every effort to join forces to end this MUST be made, otherwise, the terrorists will have the advantage and continue attacks that will destabilize economies.
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