Tanker Dominica Prosperity Hit off UAE, 19 Indian Crew Safe
The Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker Dominica Prosperity was struck by a projectile on 11 November while drifting off Mina Saqr, a port in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate of the UAE, on the Arabian Gulf side of the Strait of Hormuz and close to Oman’s Musandam Peninsula.
The UAE Coast Guard evacuated all 22 crew, including 19 Indian seafarers, and no injuries were reported. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the Indian crew were “completely safe with no injuries”. He added that his ministry is in continuous contact with the ship’s managers and is helping with the welfare and travel needs of the evacuated seafarers.
A fire was reported on board after the strike, and firefighting continued after the crew had left the ship. The type of projectile, who fired it and the full extent of the damage have not yet been confirmed. The tanker is reported to belong to the fleet of South Korea’s Sinokor, one of the largest operators in the shuttle trade through Hormuz.
From the CrewMirror Blog
This was the third tanker attack in the area in two days. On 10 November, the VLCC Fujairah Energy was hit in the Persian Gulf and four crew, including one Indian seafarer, were injured. On 11 November, the tanker NCC Fajr was attacked near Khasab, Oman, with all crew safe. The Joint Maritime Information Center has now counted 181 maritime security incidents in the region since 1 March.
The latest strike shows that the risks for crews in the Strait of Hormuz now include ships waiting at anchor or drifting outside ports, not only those in transit. Seafarers in such areas have extra protections under war-zone rights for seafarers, including the right to refuse sailing and extra pay.
CrewMirror Takeaway
Crews on tankers waiting or drifting near Hormuz face the same danger as ships in transit. Seafarers in the area should keep fire, muster and abandon-ship drills fresh and make sure their families and manning agents have up-to-date contact details.
