Ship on fire in Gulf of Aden after missile attack - maritime authorities

BBC ^ | Feb 22, 2024

[McGruff]

Two missiles have hit a ship off Yemen and caused a fire on board, authorities say, in another apparent attack by Yemen's rebel Houthi movement.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said the unnamed vessel was in the Gulf of Aden when it was attacked and that US-led coalition forces had responded.

A maritime security firm identified it as a Palau-flagged cargo ship.

There was no claim from the Houthis, but they have been targeted merchant vessels in the region since November.

[McGruff]

Apparently a new attack not the British ship in Red Sea.

[EEGator]

One thing I have realized from this is that shipping companies are pulling some kind of BS.
Pretend to be from country A, really owned by country B, and use low IQ browns from country C for sailors.

[mware]

Was that US unmanned sub captured around there too?

[antidemoncrat]

Just another Biden foreign policy success story.

[Leaning Right]

> Pretend to be from country A, really owned by country B, and use low IQ browns from country C for sailors. <

Permit me to add one thing there: And expect the protection of the US Navy.

As a side note, some folks argue that it’s in America’s best interests to protect ships of all nations. Well, okay. But it doesn’t seem right that a ship that refuses to pay US taxes and fly the US flag should have claim to US protection.

[EEGator]

I know, that’s the whole Marshall Islands BS.

America- privatizing gains, socializing loses.

I’m getting tired of following laws and paying taxes.

[hinckley buzzard]

It’s not BS. Shipping companies fly foreign flags because it is cheaper. Lower registration fees, taxes, maybe cheaper labor. It may also allow compliance with certain countries’ regulations. This is legal and done openly, has been for years. So Palau made it worth the companies while to fly their flag. No big deal.

[EEGator]

It is a big deal.
Not paying US taxes but getting US naval protection in theft.

[sphinx]

I’ve never been expert in the area and am pretty rusty on the details that I’ve bumped into over the years ... but I have the notion that the issue is not U.S. taxes. The issue goes back to the Jones Act and has expanded over the years to include U.S. labor law and the regulatory and litigation climate.

We do a lot of things apart from taxes to drive industries offshore.

[Vermont Lt]

Gee...I wonder how long before Lloyd’s stops insuring ships going through the Suez? I wonder what Egypt is going to think when they stop getting that revenue.

I wonder what China is going to do when they stop getting their stuff from Europe?

All because some Yemidiots have some missiles.

When the grown ups get angry enough, this crap will stop.

[Leaning Right]

I believe you are correct, sphinx. The United States has done quite a bit to destroy its own merchant marine. Taxes, regulations, etc.

No matter. If you want US Navy protection, fly the US flag and jump through all the hoops. I certainly wouldn’t blame a ship owner for deciding not to go in that direction. US regulations can be burdensome. But there should be no free lunch. Enough of other nations skating on Uncle Sam’s dime.

In a way, it’s like house insurance. Buy it, or take your chances.

[Peter ODonnell]

Iran funds these idiots, right? That should suggest a way to get it to stop, if they don’t have the toys they can’t play in the sandbox.

I would just send Iran a note saying next one is on you, and we will escalate the damage each time until it stops.

[atomic_dog]

I've actually been to Yemen several times during the late unpleasantness in the Persian Gulf (Earnest Will - 1987). I was on a small boy and we would escort the replenishment ships to Socotra Island where supplies and mail were delivered.

They need some kind of waterfront infrastructure to do their thing. We are launching multi-million dollar missiles that do little effective damage.

If you want to seriously punish them, sail a DDG along the coast in close international waters. Put the Slick 32 in auto and the minute something comes out unleash hell with the 5 inch gun. It's been decades since anyone has seen what some serious Naval gunfire can do. I assure you it's devastating.

[Lurker]

“ A maritime security firm identified it as a Palau-flagged cargo ship.”

Let the vaunted Palau Navy handle it.

L

[JohnBovenmyer]

Not paying US taxes but getting US naval protection is theft TREATY. Now whether our "Compact of Free Association" with Republic of Palau, in this case, or with Micronesia or with the Marshall Islands in many other cases of non-US flagged ships, represents a good deal for us, a good treaty for us, or not, may be debatable; but it is part of an official US deal, not a steal. Now for some flags of convenience, your case may be correct.