NorthernLad

this could be interesting:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18862480

Autonomy

I blame the bloody jet skis....

The Dean

http://news.yahoo.com/navy-fires-sma...164752349.html

Yeah - this is being widely reported here in the UK (Sky are going a bit OTT on it) - much coverage out there?

NorthernLad

Usual story - interested seemed to wane when it was reported the crew were Indians.

auzdafluff

Yeah, I think most of the papers have reported on it online. Not sure about print though. I imagine it'll be buried if it's something they don't want to highlight.

I really don't hold it against the Americans. I would fully expect a warship of any nation to fire upon a vessel that had ignored warning to stop or divert. The Americans especially have every right to be jittery. Especially after what happened to the USS Cole.



That hole was caused by a similar sized ship and killed 39 sailors. Not worth taking the risks.

And I'm sorry, but you can't exactly miss a military ship. If you sail straight at one, then you're pretty ****ing stupid.

Meow

I read yesterday that the crew was both Indian and Emirati. Clearly uninfluential ones.

Much as I am willing to believe that the Americans are trigger happy, ou have to be pretty stupid to go anywhere near a US ship in the Gulf.

Millhouse

I also worry as to the larger implications. It is a clear demonstration of (i) nervousness and (ii) the willingness to attack [potentially without justification]. Taking a more philosophical view - the gulf's waters is not the property of Amercia, yet it is clear they are ready to defend it (we all new that anyway).

War is coming, this is the first signs.

Anyway, that's too deep for me and I can't help thinking the Indian crew were shaking their heads to say 'yes, we are turning away' when the Americans mis-read it as a no and let rip.

auzdafluff

Again, like I said. After what happened to the USS Cole, I really don't blame them.

I'd expect the same to be the case if a ship approached a UK, or Gulf operated ship.

Oyibopeppeh

The Italians did a similar thing earlier this year when an Indian fishing boat was shot up, killing several of the crew. Two Italian marines are up for trial on murder charges.

Norm_uk

You have to be pretty stupid to head directly towards a military ship anywhere...especially when they fire warning shots and have been asking you to keep away.

They are lucky they were not blown from the water.

N.

The Dean

commander

Since USS Cole incident in the Yemen, we have trained extensively in force protection. There are ROE in place and warnings that need to take place prior to command approval being granted to open fire.

The above is for the RN, I'm sure our colonial cousins follow similar training and ROE..

Basically if a boat sails towards you, you take evasive manouvering actions (obviously Cole couldn't) and you would train your weapons systems onto the vessel. Warnings would be issued on Channel 16 and if still ignored then warning shots across the bows would be fired..if the bloody thing still comes towards then..... Goalkeeper/4.5/phalanx/30mm engage target, strength one, speed slow..command approved..engage..goodnight.

When you sail east of suez on a Naval Vessel, the risk of a USS Cole is still our biggest threat and fear..

mikewot

Hhhhmmmm, given their blue on blue record I think their OODA loop is "Observe, Over-react, Destroy, Apologise".

commander

Lol..yea..I typed that with a hugh hint of sarcasm..

Bahtatboy

And you can bet your arse they weren't indicating.