Due to recent incident with Maersk Tigris
U.S. MARAD has issued a guidance to vessels operating in or near the Strait of Hormuz due to the incident of Maersk Tigris which seized last month.
US merchant vessels and maritime interests operating in accordance with the International Law of the Sea in the waters of the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman are advised to take the following actions when transiting the area:
- If a US-flag vessel engaged in transit through the Strait of Hormuz or its approaches is hailed by Iranian forces, it should provide its vessel name and affirm that it is exercising the right of transit passage in accordance with the International Law of the Sea.
- If boarding of a US-flag vessel engaged in transit through the Strait of Hormuz or its approaches is requested by Iranian forces, the ship’s master should, if the safety of the ship and crew would not be compromised, decline permission to board by noting that the vessel is in transit passage and not subject to coastal state enforcement jurisdiction.
- If a boarding by Iranian forces occurs even after declining permission, the boarding should not be forcibly resisted by persons on the US-flag merchant vessel. refraining from forcible resistance in no way indicates consent or agreement that such a boarding is lawful.
- US -flag vessels are advised to report such incidents immediately to coalition naval vessels on vhf channel 16, via e-mail to [email protected], and by phone to 011-973-1785-3879.
- US-flag vessels are also encouraged to report such activity to the Maritime Administration at [email protected]
All vessels should be aware that coalition naval forces may conduct maritime awareness calls, queries and approaches in order to ensure the safety of vessels transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman. US flag vessels approaching coalition naval forces are advised to maintain radio contact on VHF channel 16.
US- flag vessels bound for the Strait of Hormuz (in either direction) are encouraged to contact the US Navy 5th fleet Naval Cooperation and guidance for shipping watch at 011-973-1785-3695 or at [email protected] at least two days prior to an anticipated transit.
Source:U.S. MARAD
