Photos: U.S. Navy Crossed By Iranian Vessels Repeatedly In Arabian Gulf

On April 15, eleven Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels repeatedly conducted dangerous and harassing approaches of the USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60), USS Firebolt (PC 10), USS Sirocco (PC 6), USCGC Wrangell (WPB 1332) and USCGC Maui (WPB 1304) while the U.S. vessels were conducting joint integration operations with U.S. Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters in the international waters of the North Arabian Gulf.

The IRGCN vessels repeatedly crossed the bows and sterns of the U.S. vessels at extremely close range and high speeds, including multiple crossings of the Puller with a 50 yard closest point of approach (CPA) and within 10 yards of Maui’s bow.

The U.S. crews issued multiple warnings via bridge-to-bridge radio, five short blasts from the ships’ horns and long-range acoustic noise maker devices, but received no response from the IRGCN.

After approximately one hour, the IRGCN vessels responded to the bridge-to-bridge radio queries, then maneuvered away from the U.S. ships and opened distance between them.

The IRGCN’s dangerous and provocative actions increased the risk of miscalculation and collision, were not in accordance with the internationally recognized Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) “rules of the road” or internationally recognized maritime customs, and were not in accordance with the obligation under international law to act with due regard for the safety of other vessels in the area.

The U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Army have been conducting joint interoperability operations in the North Arabian Gulf since late March.

U.S. naval forces continue to remain vigilant and are trained to act in a professional manner, while our commanding officers retain the inherent right to act in self-defense.

Reference: navy.mil

Latest Shipping News You Would Like:

US Navy Unmanned Surface Vessels Visit Yokosuka, Japan For The First Time

Posted on September 22, 2023

Unmanned Surface Vessel Division ONE, Unmanned Surface Vessel dubbed the “Ranger” is observed to be anchored at the Fleet Activities Yokosuka.

U.S Navy To Carry Out Biggest Overhaul of Its Top-Secret Undersea Surveillance Network To Counter China

Posted on September 22, 2023

The U.S. Navy has been investing billions of dollars for the revamp of its Cold War-time submarine detection system in the Pacific Ocean.

3 South African Navy Personnel Die After Being Swept Off Submarine Deck By Gigantic Wave

Posted on September 22, 2023

Sven members of the crew and a submarine were reportedly swept off the vessel’s deck by huge sea waves.

Ukraine Trolls Russia For Losing Its Attack Submarine To A Nation That Hardly Has A Navy

Posted on September 22, 2023

Ukraine is now taking a victory lap following a devastating attack on one of the main Black Sea ports last week, trolling Russia’s loss of its attack submarine.

Keel Laying Ceremony Held For US Navy’s Amphibious Assault Ship USS Fallujah

Posted on September 22, 2023

Future USS Fallujah is the fourth vessel of the America class of amphibious assault ships, built for facilitating the forward presence as well as power projection.