UAE Tug Hit in Strait of Hormuz
A UAE-owned offshore tug was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The vessel, identified as Selat Storm, was reported to be partially sinking after the incident. The condition of its crew has not been reported. The Maritime Executive reports on the latest attack in the region.
The incident happened northwest of the Musandam Peninsula, shortly after 15:00 UTC. The master of a passing vessel received a Mayday call from the tug and informed the authorities. Selat Storm had just left Al Hamriyah in the UAE, where it had been staying for several weeks. This was the second suspected Iranian attack on a tug in the strait since October 18, when the Dutch-flagged JIF Barracuda was also hit.
Other commercial vessels have come under attack in recent days. The tanker Largo Atom was reportedly hit by two drones near Saudi Arabia, causing a complete loss of power. UKMTO confirmed that all crew members were accounted for. Another vessel, the Qatari-owned LNG carrier Al Mayeda, was hit by an unknown projectile while carrying gas for customers in Pakistan. Its accommodation block was damaged, but the crew were reported safe. The ship later turned back, and its operator, Nakilat, confirmed that it remained safe and operational.
Other vessels affected by the recent incidents included the tankers Arnazah and Riti. The Suezmax Louise 1 was damaged by limpet mines, while the product tanker Stone was intercepted by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy (IRGC) and allowed to turn back without damage.
