Trump probably paid someone ,just to get Britain involved ? .... what lesson is that which the Iranians need "to learn" Steve , is it the same one that the Saudis and the Americans need to learn. ?
Easy lesson any Iranian vessel from a rowing boat upwards that steps out of Iranian waters and threatens any other vessel should be blown out of the water ! Can't reason with a mad dog, you stop it !
There's navy ships out of the gazoo up there. Why wasn't one of them actually in the straits which are the most vulnerable ? Went through there a lot of times on break bulk ( KSC ) and a VLCC. Very little room to maneuver.
I agree. There are navy ships "out of the gazoo" up there but how many are Royal Navy ships? One! Count them. One! But God forbid that would be the reason why two British-flagged tankers were hi-jiacked. It's much easier to blame Trump for paying someone off.
Does it matter what nationality the crew is ? Piracy is Piracy ! I am sure if Iran wants a fight, they have far fewer ships than the forces that will respond to their attacks on innocent vessels ! and they will loose !
We should take a page from trumps Policy, and make (Britain Great again), British flag vessels to Have Brtish Crews.
not for Shipping companies to save money by using our MN Flag.
How much Money do these >British Registered ships> pay for the help to maintain and build warships.?
Alas very few British people want to go to sea these days, it is a different scenario to when most of us went and enjoyed a few days in ports in foreign climes
Do we need this petty squabbling about who, and who has not, got Navy ships out there. The Navy ships from USA/UK/France/Netherlands etc etc are working as an alliance and cover areas where the others do not have a presence. There are no points to be scored by squabbling on here, the situation is too serious and should be treated as such. Britain had its time as the oceans policeman, the USA wanted and has taken over that role, it's all history.
We as seamen and ex-seaman decry the minimising of our Navies, both Naval and Merchant, but what is, is! and it saddens us all at the decline; but numbers have been replaced by technology afloat and ashore and it is not always necessary to have floating deterrents, no matter how impressive, on site to control a situation.
Lets hope it can all be contained and does not escalate above the present tit-for-tat, and lets not forget Russia and China have economic ties with Iran, both no doubt would welcome being able to offer military support, either technically or hardware and possibly both.
Surely, it's been recognised for a good number of years, that the British flag, has been a flag of convenience, in the merchant navy. A foreign owned vessel, with no British staff on board, yet claiming protection from a British tax payer navy, that doesn't exist. Who's kidding whom?
Suprises me that there has been no statement from Stena/ Denmark as even though the ship is flying the red Ensign the co that owns it is Danish, or am I mistaken.
"The vessel's owners said it was fully complying with regulations and was in international waters when it was approached.
It said there no reported injuries among the 23 crew members, who are Indian, Russian, Latvian and Filipino." Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49054586
The British impound an Iranian tanker for breaking sanctions by the British and their allies, the Iranians then answer with what must seem to them exactly the same action. No sailor on either ship has so far been hurt, and the start of it all must be squarely laid on the door of the Americans, who renegaded on international agreements, signed by them. If we are dragged into a Mideast conflagration by petulant tweets from a boor and a bully like Trump, we really deserve whatever damages comes our way. The problem here is surely not one of missing naval strength on our side, but a bit of calm and common sense.
I agree with you. Anyone who is surprised by the Iranian reaction to the UK arrest of their tanker is naïve, IMO. UK politicians are so busy with Brexit that their defence policy is up the wall, along with NHS, police, education and other internal matters.
Fortunately we still have Hunt in the FO, I think he may keep a clear head over this and go via a third party. We really don't want to get ddrawn into a conflict even a short skirmish as we will come out of it badly. The Iranain Guard are essentially a separate military force and operate pretty much independently from the Iranain defence forces (who are patriotic and would fight for their country if the **** hit the fan) who would be the main victims. The EU need to do some diplomacy and tell the Iranians that their tanker was taken in EU waters at the behest of the EU and not a Brit event under the instruction of Trump. Of course they already know that but a public confirmation should be helpful . The Iranians are struggling badly and need an outlet.
In all the goings on the men who are the pawns in this tit for tat piracy and that is what it is are the crews of whatever nationality ,the tanker boarded in Gib as well,remember brethren they are seamen and are worthy and in need of our prayers and thoughts,the governments of all sides don't give a damn for them we should,another earlier post referred to young men here in the u.k.not wishing to got to sea is wrong the fact is the owners for max profit use poorer countries. For crews and pay them peanuts but again I ask for your thoughts and prayers for all our seafaring brethren from whatever country.
Interesting that the tanker seized at Gibralta was on a EU directive backing the blocking of oil to Syria, and as a result we have this situation in the Gulf with a British registered tanker, this got to me thinking , how many EU countries are supplying ships to guard the Gulf, France , Belgium, Holland, Spain etc, all have naval vessels. I have been looking for that info, but drawn a blank at the moment
I have been trying to find out what Brussels are saying about what is. Going on. Seems we are being ignored by them, it’s nice to have friends who take your cash and disappear when you would expect some sort of comment. It goes to prove they are not to be trusted.
It is not wringing of hands and appealing to one's shaman of choice that will help them but governors that are prepared to protect our supply lines, the minimum expectation of the taxpayer. Self interest will motivate them whilst a moral ethic might be too much for them. It does not matter what epidermal hue is shared by the crew except that our governors can avoid some of the opprobrium when they choose to sideline the event because of the non British(more inexpensive) human factor. The damage to the economy is the virtually the same.
Fair comment Art. .... sorry, But sometimes adding a comment to an interesting thread ,the brain often moves a bit quicker, .... Thank God it still can??
ref 27, this is the only response i can find from the EU,lovely wide comfortable fence to sit on i believe, God knows how they perceive the word UNITED Europe, nothing further from the truth
No, we will back you up. We should be able to rustle up a Loch class frigate and a couple of DH Vampire Jets from our 'come in handy' stores and rush to your aid , see you about Christmas time with some spring lamb , Anchor butter , some Lion Red beer and a Maori Haka team to fight the evil.
AS clearly noted the majority of the Crew are Indians, India has a Navy and the are close to the Straits of Hormuz, so where are their warships protecting their Nationals?
Your comment is spot on. Not only do they have a Navy but it is a fair size as well. As well as a sizeable, reasonably well developed blue sea Navy they also have a large space program. Meanwhile, the U.K. is still providing huge amounts every year in aid
LouisB (Scribe)
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