https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kehPq-Kzz5I
Iran released a video of the Iranian flag flying from the seized British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. The Stena Impero was seized on Friday, July 19, reportedly because it was breaching international maritime law. In the meantime, the UK seized an Iranian-flagged vessel, Grace 1, for illegally shipping oil to Syria, against US sanctions.
The vessel’s seizure has been condemned from the shipping industry, as the West believes that this incident worsens the increasing tensions in the area. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted that he expressed his extreme disappointment to his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Javad Zarif.
Moreover, the UK Chamber of Shipping expressed its concerns over the incident, and commented that it’s obvious that the vessel was seized in ‘clear violation of international law.’
Also, many believe that Iran seized the vessel in an act of retaliation against the UK, as they seized Grace 1 for no reason. However, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif commented that Iran proceeded to that action against a ship in the Strait of Hormuz to implement international law, not in retaliation to actions by Britain.
The incidents in the Strait of Hormuz have been in the spotlight the last couple of months as the shipping industry waits for the developments. For the time being, Stena Bulk, the owner of Stena Imperor, has asked Iranian authorities to visit the crew to be sure of their safety.
Traditional courtesy at sea is that when at anchor or in port the national flag of the country visited is hoisted in the signal mast.
Every merchant vessel entering into a port has to hoist the national flag of that country on the starboard side of the forward mast, otherwise on the outer most halyard of the starboard side yard arm of the main mast. This is the courtesy flag hoisted accordingly.