Tankers Afire in Gulf of Oman

[Doc Sam Beckett 5797]

31 minutes ago, crash_davis said:

if the japs aren't behind the jap plays, then who are the japs?

You forgot to say no disrespect to the orientals... 

[crash_davis 23115]

1 minute ago, Doc Sam Beckett said:

You forgot to say no disrespect to the orientals... 

lulz.  i forgot he said that.

[Cacti 191]

6 hours ago, UDontKnow said:

This attack will be a convenient excuse to raise oil/gas prices after they have fallen in the last several weeks.

No "convenient excuse" is needed. Prices will spike because of: 1) insurance companies raising rates to insure tankers; 2) some tanker companies are already avoiding the region, which lowers tanker supply and drives up shipping cost; and 3) oil prices generally spike when there is tension in the area.

[mdmost 43043]

1 hour ago, Cheeseweasel said:

I will authorize this use of my likeness given this is the proper context for its posting. 

[CooterBrown 18027]

most likely not china.  they're paying higher crude prices now.
my guess is the saudis or russians.  they profit from higher oil prices and get to blame iran.  win/win.

Don’t forget to add us to the list of suspects. It’s totally something Bolton would do so he can finally get a war in his name.

[Colonel Sanders 1369]

Are you all serious?  I can't tell.

[RPM 26346]

This seems like a local problem that should be taken care of by locals.

[Telegraph_it 3359]

 

[Irwin F Fletcher 3550]

Let's go to the video tape!

 

 

 

 

and if Bolton plays that video backwards it shows an Iranian gunboat placing the mine on the tanker..........this is going to get messy.

[Neonmoon 38130]

Hey asshole, put down the drone camera and help!

/ Japanese sailor 

[atomheartbevo 89787]

3 hours ago, SimonBolivar said:

Someone better dig up Barry Sadler and John Wayne if we get this started.

We could just change a few lyrics of the "Libyan on a Jet Plane" song.

 

[Bobby_Batronic 1994]

3 hours ago, crash_davis said:

most likely not china.  they're paying higher crude prices now.

my guess is the saudis or russians.  they profit from higher oil prices and get to blame iran.  win/win.

I wasn’t serious. 

[Deej 76903]

So one of those ships was carrying naphtha? Now I won't be able to afford to refill my Zippo.

[Telegraph_it 3359]

Enhance. 

 

 

[Lobwedgephil 1139]

I'm convinced. 

[Schulz2.0 29009]

I could easily see Iran and their proxies doing this. The only card they really have to play is disrupting the flow of oil through the straits.

[atomheartbevo 89787]

1 hour ago, Telegraph_it said:

Enhance. 

 

 

So Iran takes these fairly large "small boats", drives them up to tankers, places the mines on them, and then leave.  Or removes them in this case.

I somehow think that Iran has better means of attacking tankers that don't involve using an easily-tracked boat.

Shit, seems like they could buy some missiles on the black market and launch them out of sight of the tankers.

[TexArcher 38047]

53 minutes ago, Schulz2.0 said:

I could easily see Iran and their proxies doing this. The only card they really have to play is disrupting the flow of oil through the straits.

Proxies, maybe.  

If Tehran is somehow behind this, I hope they covered their tracks well, otherwise millions of innocent Iranians are about to die.

Hell, that might happen anyway.  It's not as if we need proof when there's a Republican in the White House.

This can't end well.

[Brisketexan 105307]

Proxies, maybe.  
If Tehran is somehow behind this, I hope they covered their tracks well, otherwise millions of innocent Iranians are about to die.
Hell, that might happen anyway.  It's not as if we need proof when there's a Republican in the White House.
This can't end well.

Nope, it can’t. We’re about to commit some war crimes, and likely get a fair number of Americans killed in the process.

Winning.

[RoundRobin 828]

Negged both of you for cloaking up the thread.

[Bobby_Batronic 1994]

7 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

So Iran takes these fairly large "small boats", drives them up to tankers, places the mines on them, and then leave.  Or removes them in this case.

I somehow think that Iran has better means of attacking tankers that don't involve using an easily-tracked boat.

Shit, seems like they could buy some missiles on the black market and launch them out of sight of the tankers.

I mean, it’s not liken the Straight of Hormuz is loaded with military radars that could track missiles back to their origin....

i find this all pretty dubious, but consider this. Country A plants explosives on a ship covertly. Not all of the explosives detonate. Ship is dead in the water and surrounded by other ships, including military vessels who will eventually find unexploded mine with “property of Country A” written all over it. What are they supposed to do?  Deny it?  

Edited June 14, 2019 by Bobby_Batronic

[TexArcher 38047]

48 minutes ago, RoundRobin said:

Negged both of you for cloaking up the thread.

World events and politics are inseparable, and half the posts have mentioned Bolton wanting a war, etc, but good for you.

Edited June 14, 2019 by TexArcher

[Armybrat 40892]

9 hours ago, Telegraph_it said:

Enhance. 

 

 

Terrorists have good taste in boats - that looks like a Boston Whaler.

[Rusty Shackelford 414]

8 hours ago, atomheartbevo said:

So Iran takes these fairly large "small boats", drives them up to tankers, places the mines on them, and then leave.  Or removes them in this case.

I somehow think that Iran has better means of attacking tankers that don't involve using an easily-tracked boat.

Shit, seems like they could buy some missiles on the black market and launch them out of sight of the tankers.

I'm pretty sure the theory is that divers are attaching the mines when these ships are in port, and they are being detonated after they get in the gulf.  Supposedly all the mines have been placed on the same areas.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

2 minutes ago, Rusty Shackelford said:

I'm pretty sure the theory is that divers are attaching the mines when these ships are in port, and they are being detonated after they get in the gulf.  Supposedly all the mines have been placed on the same areas.

Then why not remove them the same way ?  That video looked completely like BS.  And form the video it looked like the "mine was like 8-10' above the waterline.  unless I'm  seeing the grainy, blurry, dark images incorrectly.

[RoundRobin 828]

45 minutes ago, TexArcher said:

World events and politics are inseparable, and half the posts have mentioned Bolton wanting a war, etc, but good for you.

One for you too. 

[Fudge Nuggets 19219]

2 minutes ago, RoundRobin said:

One for you too. 

Who are you?

[atomheartbevo 89787]

22 minutes ago, Onboard 2.0 said:

Then why not remove them the same way ?  That video looked completely like BS.  And form the video it looked like the "mine was like 8-10' above the waterline.  unless I'm  seeing the grainy, blurry, dark images incorrectly.

They’ve got really tall divers!

[nineliveslost 2796]

8 hours ago, TexArcher said:

Proxies, maybe.  

If Tehran is somehow behind this, I hope they covered their tracks well, otherwise millions of innocent Iranians are about to die.

Hell, that might happen anyway.  It's not as if we need proof when there's a Republican in the White House.

This can't end well.

shut the fuck up. Does it always have to be only one side or the other? every single god damn mother fucking time. Fucktard. keep it in the cloak room. JESUS 

[gecko 1104]

Someone PM Hugo and tell him to get over here.  He's missing out....

[atomheartbevo 89787]

1 hour ago, Bobby_Batronic said:

I mean, it’s not liken the Straight of Hormuz is loaded with military radars that could track missiles back to their origin....

i find this all pretty dubious, but consider this. Country A plants explosives on a ship covertly. Not all of the explosives detonate. Ship is dead in the water and surrounded by other ships, including military vessels who will eventually find unexploded mine with “property of Country A” written all over it. What are they supposed to do?  Deny it?  

In reference to the missile comment, I saw a documentary a while back talking about how it was possible to use what amounted to something not much larger than anti-tank missiles against ships, and they would be hard to intercept, or even track, because they skimmed so close to the sea - basically you’d have to have an aircraft very close by, and looking at that tiny spot in the ocean to pick them up.  Not like an Exocet that sticks out like a sore thumb.

Instead the Iranians are pulling up in easily-tracked boats with a dozen or more crew members, and possibly removing undetonated mines that are way above the waterline. 

Extremely dubious.  

[RoundRobin 828]

17 minutes ago, Fudge Nuggets said:

Who are you?

I’m Batman. 

[Fuck Tim Beck 3834]

4 minutes ago, RoundRobin said:

I’m Batman. 

I don't believe you. According to your username you are his obese sidekick. 

[gecko 1104]

If the intent was to sink the ship it would have been sunk.  It should be that hard to bring a ship like that to the bottom (or have it blow itself up to smitherines.

[atomheartbevo 89787]

7 minutes ago, gecko said:

If the intent was to sink the ship it would have been sunk.  It should be that hard to bring a ship like that to the bottom (or have it blow itself up to smitherines.

Plus it’s the Iranians.  They are pretty good at putting ships on the bottom of the Persian Gulf.  Not to go Alex Jones, but it feels like a false flag by the Saudis.   

[Bobby_Batronic 1994]

33 minutes ago, atomheartbevo said:

In reference to the missile comment, I saw a documentary a while back talking about how it was possible to use what amounted to something not much larger than anti-tank missiles against ships, and they would be hard to intercept, or even track, because they skimmed so close to the sea - basically you’d have to have an aircraft very close by, and looking at that tiny spot in the ocean to pick them up.  Not like an Exocet that sticks out like a sore thumb.

Instead the Iranians are pulling up in easily-tracked boats with a dozen or more crew members, and possibly removing undetonated mines that are way above the waterline. 

Extremely dubious.  

I thought I read The Bainbridge was four miles away. Maybe it wouldn’t see the missile.

Yeah, whatever the Iranians or whoever was doing was very clumsy. The whole thing feels hamfisted and third party. But to my comment, what does a country do if some of their explosives are stuck to the ship in plain sight?  I mean, the video wasn’t good enough to tell what the folks on the boat were doing. Plausible deniability or something although forensics will probably give everyone a decent idea of who did it or where the explosives originated.  

[gecko 1104]

wow...I can't even blame my craptastic grammar and typos on tapa....I was at a keyboard.

[RomaVicta 30007]

1 hour ago, Onboard 2.0 said:

And form the video it looked like the "mine was like 8-10' above the waterline.  unless I'm  seeing the grainy, blurry, dark images incorrectly.

It looks the same way to me. I wonder if the ship has risen due to loss of cargo burning or leaking from the hull. 

Further, if the weapon was being exposed, mightn't the culprit want to remove the evidence?

With just these possible facts, if the boat was Iranian, it suggests the Iranians did it unless they were part of a rescue mission and trying to help. In a broader context, it doesn't make a lot of sense for Iran to attack these ships, so I don't know what to think.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to bomb anybody based on this confusion. I'm not sure I want to do that even if the confusion is cleared up. If the Arabs want to destroy the Persians, let them do it themselves.

[Brisketexan 105307]

12 minutes ago, RomaVicta said:

If the Arabs want to destroy the Persians, let them do it themselves.

This.

[Irwin F Fletcher 3550]

So they have video of someone taking what appears to be a limpet mine off of the tanker. I would assume that with all the resources we have in the area we were capable of tracking this Boston Whaler back to its port of origin or I don't know, maybe try and prevent their escape. 

 

[Victorious1 158]

2 hours ago, Rusty Shackelford said:

I'm pretty sure the theory is that divers are attaching the mines when these ships are in port, and they are being detonated after they get in the gulf.  Supposedly all the mines have been placed on the same areas.

Latest news has them being placed on the ships with drones.  Crews claimed to have seen "flying objects" just before explosions.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

20 minutes ago, Irwin F Fletcher said:

So they have video of someone taking what appears to be a limpet mine off of the tanker. I would assume that with all the resources we have in the area we were capable of tracking this Boston Whaler back to its port of origin or I don't know, maybe try and prevent their escape. 

 

Are these the incredible Mr. Limpet mines ?

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

47 minutes ago, RomaVicta said:

It looks the same way to me. I wonder if the ship has risen due to loss of cargo burning or leaking from the hull. 

Further, if the weapon was being exposed, mightn't the culprit want to remove the evidence?

With just these possible facts, if the boat was Iranian, it suggests the Iranians did it unless they were part of a rescue mission and trying to help. In a broader context, it doesn't make a lot of sense for Iran to attack these ships, so I don't know what to think.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to bomb anybody based on this confusion. I'm not sure I want to do that even if the confusion is cleared up. If the Arabs want to destroy the Persians, let them do it themselves.

Good call, didn't think about waterline, and cargo load.  Still doesn't rise to an act of war considering the stakes here.

[Irwin F Fletcher 3550]

Are these the incredible Mr. Limpet mines ?

Wasn't familiar so had to Google it, it does have a Trump resemblance.

[Rusty Shackelford 414]

51 minutes ago, RomaVicta said:

It looks the same way to me. I wonder if the ship has risen due to loss of cargo burning or leaking from the hull. 

Further, if the weapon was being exposed, mightn't the culprit want to remove the evidence?

With just these possible facts, if the boat was Iranian, it suggests the Iranians did it unless they were part of a rescue mission and trying to help. In a broader context, it doesn't make a lot of sense for Iran to attack these ships, so I don't know what to think.

I'm pretty sure I don't want to bomb anybody based on this confusion. I'm not sure I want to do that even if the confusion is cleared up. If the Arabs want to destroy the Persians, let them do it themselves.

 

39 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:

This.

Bonus: the US makes some coin off supplying arms to SA

[Dertyberd 394]

Isreal has an election coming up that Netanyahu desperately needs to win to avoid jail.  That makes more sense than anyone to me.  

[Armybrat 40892]

2 hours ago, Bobby_Batronic said:

I thought I read The Bainbridge was four miles away. Maybe it wouldn’t see the missile.

Yeah, whatever the Iranians or whoever was doing was very clumsy. The whole thing feels hamfisted and third party. But to my comment, what does a country do if some of their explosives are stuck to the ship in plain sight?  I mean, the video wasn’t good enough to tell what the folks on the boat were doing. Plausible deniability or something although forensics will probably give everyone a decent idea of who did it or where the explosives originated.  

Maybe it was aggy.

[RomaVicta 30007]

1 minute ago, Armybrat said:

Maybe it was aggy.

Send the B-52s. Now.

[atomheartbevo 89787]

16 minutes ago, Armybrat said:

Maybe it was aggy.

To quote @Irwin F Fletcher

Quote

This. Watching the footage it's almost aggiesque. They have what looks like at least eight people on that Boston Whaler, insert your own how many aggies does it take to unscrew a light bulb joke.

The whole thing is just nuts.  Iran is the last country that wants a shooting war with the US.  Israel would be more subtle.

This feels like the Saudis - it's about as clumsy as kidnapping a journalist, cutting him up in an embassy, and sending the remains out in diplomatic pouches.

[Armybrat 40892]

Speaking of spam mail......