Iran Captures British Tanker sailing through Straits of Hormuz

[wrs + 893]

Reported to be passing through the strait to KSA. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/19/british-tanker-iran-capture-fears-stena-impero-uk-ship-latest 

https://www.nmg-stena.com/news/company-statement-stena-impero/ 

COMPANY STATEMENT - STENA IMPERO - 1840BST 
19th Jul 2019 

Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management can confirm that at approximately 1600 BST on 19th July UK registered vessel Stena Impero (built 2018, 49,683 DWT) was approached by unidentified small crafts and a helicopter during transit of the Strait of Hormuz while the vessel was in international waters. We are presently unable to contact the vessel which is now heading north towards Iran. 
We are presently unable to contact the vessel which is now heading north towards Iran 

There are 23 seafarers aboard. There have been no reported injuries and their safety is of primary concern to both owners and managers. The priority of both vessel owner Stena Bulk and ship manager Northern Marine Management is the safety and welfare of the crew. 

Northern Marine Management has not been able to establish contact directly with the vessel since it was notified of the incident at approximately 1600 Today, 19th July 2019. 

We are in close contact with UK government authorities. 
 

[James Regan + 1,776]

15 minutes ago, wrs said:

Reported to be passing through the strait to KSA. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/19/british-tanker-iran-capture-fears-stena-impero-uk-ship-latest 

https://www.nmg-stena.com/news/company-statement-stena-impero/ 

COMPANY STATEMENT - STENA IMPERO - 1840BST 
19th Jul 2019 

Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management can confirm that at approximately 1600 BST on 19th July UK registered vessel Stena Impero (built 2018, 49,683 DWT) was approached by unidentified small crafts and a helicopter during transit of the Strait of Hormuz while the vessel was in international waters. We are presently unable to contact the vessel which is now heading north towards Iran. 
We are presently unable to contact the vessel which is now heading north towards Iran 

There are 23 seafarers aboard. There have been no reported injuries and their safety is of primary concern to both owners and managers. The priority of both vessel owner Stena Bulk and ship manager Northern Marine Management is the safety and welfare of the crew. 

Northern Marine Management has not been able to establish contact directly with the vessel since it was notified of the incident at approximately 1600 Today, 19th July 2019. 

We are in close contact with UK government authorities. 
 

Looks like it left Fujairah today, now currently in Iranian waters.

will the UK yield and make a trade?

Edited July 19, 2019 by James Regan

[wrs + 893]

I thought there was supposed to be a British destroyer out there patrolling?  What happened?

 

Looks to me like the Iranians have their panties in a bunch because of their drone being shot down......

[James Regan + 1,776]

2 minutes ago, wrs said:

I thought there was supposed to be a British destroyer out there patrolling?  What happened?

 

Looks to me like the Iranians have their panties in a bunch because of their drone being shot down......

I hope we don’t trade these tankers out ie Gibraltar tanker for this UK ship, Iran going back to old habits of hostage taking, this may escalate very quickly.

[wrs + 893]

12 minutes ago, James Regan said:

I hope we don’t trade these tankers out ie Gibraltar tanker for this UK ship, Iran going back to old habits of hostage taking, this may escalate very quickly.

Well definitely makes it clear that they are going to make it hard for ships to transit the Straits.  It's easy pickings for them and I bet they have plenty of room to stack up ships in their territorial waters.  Once they have them over there it's a problem for the US or Britain to go in and get them without violating Iranian territorial waters and risking a military conflict which will quickly escalate.  

In addition to that, I bet they have these ships anchored and mined all around so that any attempt to take them will fail.

Edited July 19, 2019 by wrs

[wrs + 893]

Make that two tankers?

https://twitter.com/IntelCrab/status/1152289340371996672

[James Regan + 1,776]

15 minutes ago, wrs said:

Well definitely makes it clear that they are going to make it hard for ships to transit the Straits.  It's easy pickings for them and I bet they have plenty of room to stack up ships in their territorial waters.  Once they have them over there it's a problem for the US or Britain to go in and get them without violating Iranian territorial waters and risking a military conflict which will quickly escalate.  

In addition to that, I bet they have these ships anchored and mined all around so that any attempt to take them will fail.

Seizing the tanker is considered an act of aggression to a sovereign vessel, slightly different from the tit for tat argument of Iran.

Attempts to split the UK from USA and Europe, knowing that Europe will do nothing it will be left to UK and USA to act.

UK underpowered in the region so special relationship will be called upon I’m sure.

IMO there will be a retaliation as we are now in asymmetric war situation with Iran and its proxies.

Looks like the drone attack or shoot down was a good way to defer attention and get their real objective done?

[wrs + 893]

Just now, James Regan said:

Looks like the drone attack or shoot down was a good way to defer attention and get their real objective done?

Could well be the case, kind of like all these people crossing the US border have distracted the USBP and drug shipments are up massively as a result.

[James Regan + 1,776]

53 minutes ago, wrs said:

Could well be the case, kind of like all these people crossing the US border have distracted the USBP and drug shipments are up massively as a result.

It appears now that there has been two ships taken no flag given on the second.

Donald has said that no US tankers in the Straights which is not correct as US military is currently air escorting a Cargo ship, he is posturing on US oil, not very professional at this time when being asked if the US would support the UK.

He doesn’t think to fast on his feet...

PS @wrs maybe we should do this by messenger as it looks like it’s just you and me “shipmate” 😆 

Edited July 19, 2019 by James Regan

[James Regan + 1,776]

Very quick to react

[Tom Kirkman + 8,860]

2 hours ago, James Regan said:

PS @wrs maybe we should do this by messenger as it looks like it’s just you and me “shipmate” 😆 

Don't discount lurkers.  It's early morning here, sun won't be up for an hour or so, and I am just waking up to this news.

[Old-Ruffneck + 1,177]

17 minutes ago, Tom Kirkman said:

Don't discount lurkers.  It's early morning here, sun won't be up for an hour or so, and I am just waking up to this news.

@Tom Kirkmanis a lurker 🤣  

I say carpet bomb the coast of Iran, get rid of some old ordinance hehe

[Tomasz + 1,608]

Do you know that war with Iran will be something different than Iraq invasion?

 I mean much bigger disaster for whole region and you should never underestimate one of oldest civilizations probably prepared for war for months after Trump was elected. Its not Arab or Sadam soldiers they are much better disciplined, trained, better skilled and motivated  with quite higher esprit de corps.

And I would not be suprised if the get or grabbed some weapons from russian military aid for Syria- some Pantsyrs, S-300 and other toys that can make your war with Iran a bigger challenge than with Iraq that had outdated weapons. Apart from its isolated country so you maybe be suprsed because Iran in last decades tried to produce weapons by the own with some succeses.

So you should be prepared for higher losses than in Iraq invasions or other military interventions and of course total mess in whole region.

Edited July 19, 2019 by Tomasz

[Douglas Buckland + 6,308]

57 minutes ago, Tom Kirkman said:

Don't discount lurkers.  It's early morning here, sun won't be up for an hour or so, and I am just waking up to this news.

I just started reading as well, before getting on the motorcycle. Will be back on later...

[Old-Ruffneck + 1,177]

8 minutes ago, Tomasz said:

Do you know that war with Iran will be something different than Iraq invasion?

 I mean much bigger disaster for whole region and you should never underestimate one of oldest civilizations probably prepared for war for months after Trump was elected. Its not Arab or Sadam soldiers they are much better disciplined, trained, better skilled and motivated  with quite higher esprit de corps.

And I would not be suprised if the get or grabbed some weapons from russian military aid for Syria- some Pantsyrs, S-300 and other toys that can make your war with Iran a bigger challenge than with Iraq that had outdated weapons. Apart from its isolated country so you maybe be suprsed because Iran in last decades tried to produce weapons by the own with some succeses.

So you should be prepared for higher losses than in Iraq invasions or other military interventions and of course total mess in whole region.

Yes to be sure they are well trained but hard shoot down our bombers. Todays tech bombs are more lethal and accurate than predecessor. The US will own the skies if this comes about. And I am sure there are a host of others that will join in. But simple matter is no-one wins. 

[James Regan + 1,776]

8 hours ago, Old-Ruffneck said:

Yes to be sure they are well trained but hard shoot down our bombers. Todays tech bombs are more lethal and accurate than predecessor. The US will own the skies if this comes about. And I am sure there are a host of others that will join in. But simple matter is no-one wins. 

UK have a special place in their hearts for Iranian hostage scenarios.