Getting hot in the Gulf
Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
'The only difference between Piracy and Privateering is the absence or presence of a Letter of Marque. You can be sure that the commandos who assaulted Grace 1 and Stena Impero had the modern equivalent of Letters of Marque.' Jack Aubrey eat your heart out.
In order to question the crew about an alledged infringement of the local Rules of the Road? An armed assault on a merchant ship? Which way is up here?
The Iranians no doubt have positive proof that the Royal Marines who took over the tanker in Gibraltar were armed to the teeth? I almost get to the stage of thinking that the ship's cargo should be confiscasted anyway to stop it reaching those evil bastards in Syria. Friends of Iran I expect, so therefore not subject to any criticism? What a pity we have to act withing the law sometimes.
In order to question the crew about an alledged infringement of the local Rules of the Road? An armed assault on a merchant ship? Which way is up here?
The Iranians no doubt have positive proof that the Royal Marines who took over the tanker in Gibraltar were armed to the teeth? I almost get to the stage of thinking that the ship's cargo should be confiscasted anyway to stop it reaching those evil bastards in Syria. Friends of Iran I expect, so therefore not subject to any criticism? What a pity we have to act withing the law sometimes.
Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
Maybe the sale of the oil could be used to compensate the victims of the Iran backed rebels in Yemen. But no doubt that's all a nasty western conspiracy too.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
I wonder if prize money is still awarded?
Even if not in our Navy, may be in Iran's
At a relatively recent event:
A Spanish fishing vessel was arrested by a Nimrod. Escorted to Stornoway and the Captain charged with illegal fishing. He was given a stiff fine in the order of £200k, catch and nets confiscated.
Catch and nets were then sold back to him with the total take IRO £500k. That Captain, but not the ship, were banned from UK waters. The Captain of course could return but not as Captain.
As far as I know, no prize money awarded.
In Gibraltar I guess the cargo could also be sold with the proceeds used to defray the costs.
Even if not in our Navy, may be in Iran's
At a relatively recent event:
A Spanish fishing vessel was arrested by a Nimrod. Escorted to Stornoway and the Captain charged with illegal fishing. He was given a stiff fine in the order of £200k, catch and nets confiscated.
Catch and nets were then sold back to him with the total take IRO £500k. That Captain, but not the ship, were banned from UK waters. The Captain of course could return but not as Captain.
As far as I know, no prize money awarded.
In Gibraltar I guess the cargo could also be sold with the proceeds used to defray the costs.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
There's a photo on the BBC's website of what appears to be an armed IIRG (holding an AK in his left hand) on board the ship. Can't tell if the ship is underway or at anchor.
If those that took over the ship were armed, how legitimate was their boarding, if the boarding took place in another country's waters.
If those that took over the ship were armed, how legitimate was their boarding, if the boarding took place in another country's waters.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
The boarding was when the vessel was Westbound.
On that side of the TSS the waters are Iranian, not Omani.
Actually, by Convention those restricted waters are effectively shared by the two/three coastal States. In general, the Iranians police the Inbound side and the other guys the Outbound. In the case of the Straights of Gibraltar, it's the Spanish;Gibraltarians;Moroccans who have that responsibility.
In both cases, it was the Right of Innocent Passage which was violated. In the case of Stena Impera the violation of the Separation Zone was a mere excuse to pull her over and detain her. In the case of Grace 1, which was at anchor awaiting orders, there was no such excuse.
The elegant solution is for both vessels to be released simultaneously and for both perpetrating countries to make a formal statement supporting Free Trade.
On that side of the TSS the waters are Iranian, not Omani.
Actually, by Convention those restricted waters are effectively shared by the two/three coastal States. In general, the Iranians police the Inbound side and the other guys the Outbound. In the case of the Straights of Gibraltar, it's the Spanish;Gibraltarians;Moroccans who have that responsibility.
In both cases, it was the Right of Innocent Passage which was violated. In the case of Stena Impera the violation of the Separation Zone was a mere excuse to pull her over and detain her. In the case of Grace 1, which was at anchor awaiting orders, there was no such excuse.
The elegant solution is for both vessels to be released simultaneously and for both perpetrating countries to make a formal statement supporting Free Trade.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
I heard today that Grace 1 was not registered by any State and therefore was a legitimate target for boarding and inspection.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
How can a ship not being registered by any State?
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
State of registry documentation allowed to lapse, or conditions of registry broken?
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
Or as reported, actively cancelled. Apparently Panama is cleaning up its act; it used to be a byword for unregulated. Liberia, Malta and Cyprus all had similar questionable registration.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
The tanker is to be released.
The Septics, upon whose Imperial orders the outrage was committed, tried to persuade the Brits to extend the theft of Iranian property indefinitely, but failed.
Now, it will be interesting to see what the actual destination of the cargo really is.
The Septics, upon whose Imperial orders the outrage was committed, tried to persuade the Brits to extend the theft of Iranian property indefinitely, but failed.
Now, it will be interesting to see what the actual destination of the cargo really is.
Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
And whether the British-flagged tanker will also now be found to have all its paperwork in order.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
That will follow.
Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
"upon whose Imperial orders the outrage was committed," - UP - you sure of that? I understood the breach was of European sanctions. The Chump's feeble attempt to delay the release for no apparent reason was doomed to failure - presumably 'Bolt-on goodies' again? My, there's a good team in play there.
ASSUMING we have a naval presence in the Med left, we need to follow this ship and sink it if it tries to dock in Syria. Simples.
ASSUMING we have a naval presence in the Med left, we need to follow this ship and sink it if it tries to dock in Syria. Simples.
Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
No doubt there will be a strong Russian escort as it nears Syria, or even as it leaves Gibraltar territorial waters and no one will be able to do anything about it.
I guess they've shown the Syrians how to perfect their mass killing techniques and will be a permanent presence there for many years.
I guess they've shown the Syrians how to perfect their mass killing techniques and will be a permanent presence there for many years.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
Yup. Quite sure. The EU nonsense was just a cover story. Neither Iran nor Syria are members of the EU, so Brussels has exactly zero jurisdiction on trade between those two countries.
It was old-fashioned fascism, competently executed by poodle Britain at the behest of The Empire.
Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
https://www.gibraltarlaws.gov.gi/articles/2019s164.pdf
This will be an interesting test of Boris and his rabble. The ship has now been 're-flagged' under Iranian registration.
Send a gunboat!
This will be an interesting test of Boris and his rabble. The ship has now been 're-flagged' under Iranian registration.
Send a gunboat!
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
Adrian Darya (formerly Grace 1) now appears to be wandering like the Flying Dutchman.
Present theory is that she's waiting to offload some cargo so she can lighten ship and bugger off through Suez. Dunno whether the Gyppos will be allowed (by The Empire) to allow that though.
Present theory is that she's waiting to offload some cargo so she can lighten ship and bugger off through Suez. Dunno whether the Gyppos will be allowed (by The Empire) to allow that though.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
Maybe the UK should just put up an MPA from Akro to ensure she sticks to the terms of her release.
Oh, wait....
Oh, wait....
Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
Well, she's not heading for Syria on that course.
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Re: Getting hot in the Gulf
They are planning to offload to smaller boats somewhere off Cyprus is what I've read. It gives everyone PR deniability.
I say PR deniability, not plausable deniability. Nobody seems to give a sh!t about plausability these days.
I say PR deniability, not plausable deniability. Nobody seems to give a sh!t about plausability these days.