SPOTREP 01 — TANKER ON FIRE ON THE SOUTHERN LANE, NORTH-EAST OF KHASAB

NIGHT ORDERSUNTIL RELIEVED

EPISODE 01 · HORMUZ SEA MINES

FLASH

PRECEDENCE · FLASHDTG · 071948Z DEC 26MSG REF · D32/SPOTREP/01

SUBJ/SPOTREP 01 — TANKER ON FIRE ON THE SOUTHERN LANE, NORTH-EAST OF KHASAB//

REF/A/OPORD 26-300 STANDING WATCH, para 3d(5), as amended by CHANGE 1.//

CODEWORD/TRIPWIRE//

1.Time of observation071925Z DEC 26
2.Position26°30'N 056°33'E — about 25 nm north-east of Khasab, on the southern lane round Ras Musandam
3.ContactOne laden product tanker, about 180 m, on fire aft, stopped and drifting. Name not yet established: AIS off.
4.Observed byWildcat 815 from HMS DARING, at 12 nm, electro-optical sensor. Fire visible from 30 nm.
5.CauseNot known. No missile or aircraft on our plot. A mine strike or an explosive charge cannot be excluded.
6.Radio071940Z, VHF 16, a station identifying itself as the IRGC Navy: "vessels on the unauthorised route will bear the consequences".
7.CrewLifeboat in the water. Royal Navy of Oman patrol vessel closing from Khasab, ETA 2030Z.
8.Own actionDARING holding 15 nm south-east. Not closing: unknown cause, possible mines. Wildcat back aboard 2000Z.
9.AssessmentFirst fire on the southern lane since the IRGC claims of early November. Mines in the approaches to the southern lane: possible. Request mine countermeasures assessment.