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US Ship Fires on Boat off Dubai, 1 Dead

PerfectStorm

PerfectStorm

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An American vessel fired on a boat Monday off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, killing one person and injuring three, according to a U.S. consular official in Dubai.

The official gave no other details, but it appeared the boat could have been mistaken as a threat in Gulf waters not far from Iran's maritime boundaries.

Rescue workers were seen carrying one person in a body bag off the boat and placing it in an ambulance as fishermen looked on. Officials moved the boat from the harbor shortly afterward.
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Official: US Ship Fires on Boat off Dubai, 1 Dead - ABC News
 
^^^
more on that

16 Jul 2012

 
On it's face it seems as if this was a legal maneuver by the US ship.

"U.S. officials said the incident was under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and Dubai police. But as details emerged, it appeared the fishing boat had been heading into port and had strayed too close to a Navy ship on high alert, rather than attempting an attack.

The incident highlighted the rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran over the narrow strait, a choke point for much of the world's oil shipments from the Middle East. Navy vessels are on special alert for small craft, which Iran has used to shadow and sometimes harass ships in the gulf, and have permission to use lethal force to halt boats that draw too close."



U.S. ship fires on fishing boat in Persian Gulf, killing 1 - latimes.com
 
Navy ships have a certain area around them that they simply will not let other ships or aircraft enter. Numerous attempts will be made to get the other craft to move away, but if they do not, the ship's captain's primary responsibility is to his sailors and his ship.
 
It was only a matter of time, with all the tensions and Iranian threats. I'm confused why the boat kept coming at a high rate of speed after seeing 50 cal bullets being sprayed in the water in front of it, though. Seems to me that warning shots in front of the bow are the universal translator.
 
DiAnna said:
It was only a matter of time, with all the tensions and Iranian threats. I'm confused why the boat kept coming at a high rate of speed after seeing 50 cal bullets being sprayed in the water in front of it, though. Seems to me that warning shots in front of the bow are the universal translator.
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99 times out of 99 it is a pissing match kinda thing, and speaking as some one who has been on a ship being approached by other craft like this, it sucks because the ship gets called to GQ every single time, and the skipper then wants to do drills since we are already at GQ...
 
Apparently, the guy was a dumbass. Small boat, gets too close to vastly larger boat. Larger boat gives warning as mandated by ROE, little boat continues to approach the larger boat who is trying to tell it to **** off. Natural selection ensues.
 
Redress said:
Navy ships have a certain area around them that they simply will not let other ships or aircraft enter. Numerous attempts will be made to get the other craft to move away, but if they do not, the ship's captain's primary responsibility is to his sailors and his ship.
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These matters heighten that level of responsibility, "U.S. officials said the Rappahannock was heading into Jebel Ali when crew members saw the smaller boat moving toward it from about 1,200 yards away. A civilian crew sails the Rappahannock, but a Navy security team is aboard to protect the ship. "The U.S. crew repeatedly attempted to warn the vessel's operators to turn away from their deliberate approach," the Navy statement said. U.S. officials said the fishermen ignored warnings by radio, loudspeakers and flashing lights before the Navy security team opened fire."
 
Connery said:
These matters heighten that level of responsibility, "U.S. officials said the Rappahannock was heading into Jebel Ali when crew members saw the smaller boat moving toward it from about 1,200 yards away. A civilian crew sails the Rappahannock, but a Navy security team is aboard to protect the ship. "The U.S. crew repeatedly attempted to warn the vessel's operators to turn away from their deliberate approach," the Navy statement said. U.S. officials said the fishermen ignored warnings by radio, loudspeakers and flashing lights before the Navy security team opened fire."
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What can you do in this situation?
 
Looks like this was a test to see how the USN would respond. Now they know. The USN ship gave them ample warning through a variety of methods. 50 cal rounds striking off their bows could have woken the dead, and even an idiot could figure out what that means.

Still, it won't be long now before the USN is accused of attacking civilians just for ****s and giggles. Al Jazeera is probably spinning that one up right now.
 
Redress said:
What can you do in this situation?
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I've never skippered a military vessel, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't wait for the big boom that blows open the side of my ship.
 
EagleAye said:
Looks like this was a test to see how the USN would respond. Now they know. The USN ship gave them ample warning through a variety of methods. 50 cal rounds striking off their bows could have woken the dead, and even an idiot could figure out what that means.

Still, it won't be long now before the USN is accused of attacking civilians just for ****s and giggles. Al Jazeera is probably spinning that one up right now.
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I actually hadn't thought of that. Interesting that the killed/injured were all laborers from India, but there were two UAE citizens on board who were not injured. Since nearly every citizen of UAE is richer than god, I have to wonder what they were doing on a fishing boat filled with immigrant laborers.
 
Lokiate said:
Amidst all the warnings? You come to the conclusion that your large number of personnel are not worth risking just for the sake of political bull****, and you engage the enemy with a quickness.
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If I was to go back in the navy, you could be my skipper no problem.
 
DiAnna said:
I actually hadn't thought of that. Interesting that the killed/injured were all laborers from India, but there were two UAE citizens on board who were not injured. Since nearly every citizen of UAE is richer than god, I have to wonder what they were doing on a fishing boat filled with immigrant laborers.
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Damned suspicious isn't it?
 
Redress said:
If I was to go back in the navy, you could be my skipper no problem.
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You wouldn't want that, I was a hardass. I expected a lot out of my Soldiers, but they preformed accordingly for the most part. However problematic some were, I did everything I could to make sure they were properly taken care of and trained. Whether they liked it our not.
 
Redress said:
What can you do in this situation?
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Exactly what they did do. That is what I have said since my first post, they have followed protocol and procedure and have the legal authority to act.
 
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Lokiate said:
You wouldn't want that, I was a hardass. I expected a lot out of my Soldiers, but they preformed accordingly for the most part. However problematic some were, I did everything I could to make sure they were properly taken care of and trained. Whether they liked it our not.
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Hardasses come in two varieties. One of those is great to serve under. The other sucks.
 
Lokiate said:
Amidst all the warnings? You come to the conclusion that your large number of personnel are not worth risking just for the sake of political bull****, and you engage the enemy with a quickness.
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This specific situation had nothing at all to do with politics. It had to do with the specifics of the situation and the proper action which needed to be taken.
 
Connery said:
This specific situation had nothing at all to do with politics. It had to do with the specifics of the situation and the proper action which needed to be taken.
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Well to be fair Lokiate is right - this incident can potentially (if not already) have political implications.
 
Connery said:
This specific situation had nothing at all to do with politics. It had to do with the specifics of the situation and the proper action which needed to be taken.
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It's always political. If we so much as sneeze the wrong way, it makes the 6 o'clock news. I'm sure the Arabs are having a field day with this right about now.
 
StillBallin75 said:
Well to be fair Lokiate is right - this incident can potentially (if not already) have political implications.
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The action of the military has not effected the political universe one way or another. Moreover, to waste a moment on such and delay what should have been done would be to place the crew and the ship in jeopardy. Politics are left to the politicians who dictate what protocols would be in place thuggish this matter not the military. As you can see SOP dictates: "Navy vessels are on special alert for small craft, which Iran has used to shadow and sometimes harass ships in the gulf, and have permission to use lethal force to halt boats that draw too close." There is no political thinking necessary or warranted.
 
Political implications or not.... they had to take action. What the US ship did was right.
 
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