The Mayuree Naree was attacked off Oman, with three crew members missing after the incident involving Iranian forces. Rescue operations are ongoing.
The Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, with a deadweight tonnage of 30,193 DWT, was attacked on the morning of March 11, Wednesday, off the coast of Oman. It has been reported that the incident involved one of four commercial vessels believed to have been targeted by Iran.
While the Royal Oman Navy intervened with the vessel, the Royal Thai Navy announced that it was coordinating rescue efforts. According to initial reports, two bullets struck the stern and the engine room of the ship. These impacts led to explosions and a fire on board.
At the time of the incident, it was reported that the vessel was sailing in ballast from the United Arab Emirates and was located approximately 11 nautical miles off the coast of Oman.
Crew Evacuated
The ship's owner, Precious Shipping, stated that the engine room suffered significant damage due to the attack and that the 20 crew members on board evacuated the vessel using a lifeboat. The crew was later rescued by the Oman Navy and brought ashore.
The company also noted that three crew members were still on board and may have been trapped in the engine room. The Royal Thai Navy announced that additional rescue operations were ongoing. Some reports suggested that the personnel in question might have remained on the ship to assist in the rescue efforts.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) later announced that the fire on board had been extinguished.
Iran: 'Unauthorized Passage Attempted'
The owning company stated that they adhered to all security protocols and maintained constant communication with UKMTO prior to entering the strait. It was also noted that the vessel was covered under War Risk Insurance.
On the other hand, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran claimed that the Thai vessel ignored warnings and attempted to enter the strait without permission. Iran had previously stated that international vessels not connected to the U.S. or Israel would be allowed to pass through the strait. In contrast, vessels associated with the U.S., Israel, or their allies, as well as those carrying oil from these countries, are considered 'legitimate targets.'
Iran also claimed to have attacked the 122,961 DWT container ship Express Rome, alleging that the vessel was linked to Israel. The last AIS signal from the ship indicated that it was in an area where numerous vessels were anchored northeast of Dubai.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) warned on the morning of March 11 that Iran was using some civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz for military operations.
CENTCOM called on civilians and port workers in Iran to stay away from all port facilities where Iranian naval forces operate. It was also stated that Iranian dockworkers, administrative personnel, and commercial ship crews should avoid Iranian naval vessels and military equipment.
In a statement made a day earlier, the U.S. indicated that attacks on small Iranian vessels capable of laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz had increased.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
