UAE Cargo Ship Sinks Near Assaluyeh
A vehicle-carrying cargo ship belonging to the United Arab Emirates has sunk in the Persian Gulf waters near Assaluyeh. The General Directorate of Ports and Maritime Affairs of Bushehr Province has dispatched forces to the scene to rescue the ship’s 30 crew members.
A cargo ship belonging to the United Arab Emirates sank Thursday morning, March 17, at a distance of 30 nautical miles from Assaluyeh port in Persian Gulf waters.
According to the Iranian Students News Agency, ISNA, the ship was carrying vehicles and sank due to unfavorable weather conditions and strong winds.
The head of the Maritime Safety and Protection Department of the General Directorate of Ports and Maritime Affairs of Bushehr told ISNA that rescue operations for the ship’s 30 crew members have begun.
According to him, two tugboats and rescue vessel 18 have been dispatched to the scene to rescue the passengers of the sunken ship.
Hojjat Khosravi also stated: “Considering that 30 crew members of the UAE ship are on the water wearing life jackets, a helicopter request has been sent to the relevant authorities, including the Pars Energy Special Economic Zone, at the earliest possible time.”
Analysis of maritime tracking data by Associated Press shows that this ship is a roll-on/roll-off vessel (a ship designed for transportation and movement of wheeled vehicles) named Al Salmy 6.
A company in Dubai that owns this ship has refrained from providing any explanation to Associated Press regarding the ship and the incident. Images broadcast of this ship by IRNA news agency and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting match the images of Al Salmy 6.
The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which patrols Middle Eastern waters, has refrained from providing any explanation or response to Associated Press on this matter.
Source: DW
