Fishermen recovering after US Navy attack boat off UAE coast
A fishing vessel that was attacked by a US navy ship included a crew of six Indians and two Gulf Arabs, a source told 7DAYS.
One Indian man was killed and three injured in the incident. Two other Indians and the two Arabs were not on the deck of the ship when the US refuel ship, the UNSN Rappahannock opened fire with a .50 calibre heavy machine gun.
All the Indian crew are from Tamil Nadu in the south east tip of India, known for its skilled fishermen. The three injured men have been taken to a Dubai hospital where they are in a stable condition and able to talk to their families.
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A fishing vessel that was attacked by a US navy ship included six Indians and two Gulf Arabs
“They are over the worst. They have injuries to the body but they are able to talk and some have been joined by family members,” the source in the Indian foreign ministry said.
Meanwhile, the US and UAE governments have promised a detailed investigation of the attack, which happened near Jebel Ali Port.
The Indian ambassador to the UAE, MK Lokesh, told 7DAYS that both governments had promised to report back to him following the investigations.
“They have not set a timeline but we are certainly awaiting their findings,” he said.
The US Navy said in a press statement that the small fishing boat ignored warnings to stay back before US Navy officers fired from a .50-calibre machine gun.
The US has been extremely cautious about small vessels approaching its navy ships since suicide bombers blew a hole in the side of the USS Cole in 2000, killing 17 US sailors. Even when US aircraft carriers are on public display in US ports, they are surrounded by smaller, heavily-armed vessels looking for suicide bombers approaching by boat.
Lt Greg Raelson, a spokesman for the Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, said a security team aboard the USNS Rappahannock issued a series of warnings before firing at the fishing boat about 15km off the coast of Jebel Ali.
Raelson said the incident happened about 2.50pm on Monday.
The Rappahannock is an oiler used to fuel other Navy ships while they are at sea. American warships frequently visit Jebel Ali port.
Comments
by Suidkus
Saturday, July 21 2012, 4:45PM
“Did the Navy actually check the fishing vessel after shooting it up, to check if any weapons were on board? I bet my bottom "dollar" there werent any weapons on that fishing vessel.....”
by NewCrunch
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 4:09PM
“@trent: the US is NOT here to protect the UAE. The US is here to protect their own interests. All that talk about fighting for freedom can work with brainwashed and naive American public, but not with the rest of the world.”
by AAAli1
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 2:11PM
“Gonna agree with blag333, CSSC and ritesh roy. They are in our water at Jebel Ali port not US waters - so what now we cant go fishing when they are around - pathetic. If they are so paranoid they should go home instead of playing colonial powers in other peoples waters.”
by Trent B.
Wednesday, July 18 2012, 7:13AM
“Obviously none of the previous comments read the article completly. The US is being cautious about small boats because of the USS Cole incident. The US is here to help protect the UAE, they are not here to start WW3. If a war does breakout, you'll be very thankful that that US ship is out there!”
by pjk1649a
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 8:52PM
“Is anyone serious here? As a Captain of a navy ship (of any country) you would be court marshaled if you didn't keep unidentified boats or ships away from your vessel, especially after the USS Cole attack in Yemen. Many sailors died in that attack by a small boat and the Cole was almost sunk. Lesson: Stay away from all naval vessels! And, the Captain of any boat, including fishing vessels, should pay more attention to where their boat is going if other ships are around!”
by davewheels2000
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 5:18PM
“Why drive a fishing boat at a warship though? Seriously.. they should have fired warning shots first also.. we will see what happened later i guess.”
by ritesh roy
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 3:28PM
“This world is suffering from US phobia, those who are strong enough their mouth is shut with dollars. USA is either buying people nd country or destroying. The way things are working out world war 3 is not too distant. I hope my comment is posted bcoz I m sure USA's supporter will not like this truth about them.”
by CSSSC
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 3:21PM
“Another case of Trigger Happy Yankees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by blag333
Tuesday, July 17 2012, 3:06PM
“Typical over the top action by US.
Kill first, ask questions later.”