Noticias de interés
Strait of Hormuz / Persian Gulf: Fresh warning of threat to shipping
Fecha de la noticias: 12/08/2019 • Publicada: 12/08/2019

12/08/2019 Posn 26.47 - 56.50
Background
The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has issued a new advisory for vessels
operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
It says vessels should keep their AIS (automatic identification systems)
transmitting at all times and be ready to answer VHF calls from coalition naval
forces.
In goes on, in a section specifically for US-flagged vessels, to say ships
should register simultaneously with the UK Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) and US
Fifth Fleet Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) Watch before
they enter the area.
They should send both agencies, via a single email, details of when they
will enter and when they will leave the Strait of Hormuz Traffic Separation
Scheme and give an outline of their navigation plans for operating in the
Strait and in the Persian Gulf.
The advisory is current from August 8.
Assessment and
Analysis
Tension has been growing between Iran and the West with both sides accusing
each other of aggressive behaviour.
The United States blames Iran for a series of attacks against commercial
vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and in the wider Persian Gulf.
Iran denies involvement in some of the incidents and, in cases were vessels
have been seized or detained, claims it has been acting lawfully.
The latest MARAD advisory talks of a serious threat to commercial vessels
from heightened military activity.
It says there have been a least two cases of vessels reporting GPS
interference. It claims there have also been reports of spoofed
bridge-to-bridge communications from unknown entities falsely claiming to be US
or coalition warships.
This advisory warns against vessels shutting off their AIS saying its risks
complicating response efforts should they be involved in an incident.
If Iranian forces hail a US-flagged ship, or board or attempt to board, the
advisory says the US Fifth Fleet Battle Watch should be informed immediately.
Ships should take extreme care not to enter sensitive Iranian waters.
Ships should maintain a high state of awareness and be alert to local and
regional tensions that could put them at risk.
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