The Japanese owner of the Kokuka Courageous, one of two oil tankers targeted near the Strait of Hormuz, said Friday that sailors on board saw “flying objects” just before it was hit, suggesting the vessel wasn’t damaged by mines.
That account contradicts what the U.S. military said as it released a video Friday it said shows Iranian forces removing an unexploded limpet mine from one of the two ships that were hit.
The Japanese tanker was attacked twice Thursday, damaging the vessel and forcing all 21 crew members to evacuate.
Company president Yutaka Katada said Friday he believes the flying objects seen by the sailors could have been bullets. He denied any possibility of mines or torpedoes because the damage was above the ship’s waterline. He called reports of a mine attack “false.”
Katada said the crew members also spotted an Iranian naval ship nearby, but didn’t specify whether that was before or after the attacks.
Source: Tanker owner seems to dispute U.S. account of Gulf of Oman attack
Ok, I’m not really sure how he can definitively say a limpet mine attack is not possible. They are often set above the water line. The video allegedly shows the Iranians removing one from above water level.
Interesting he says they may have been shot at and there was an Iranian vessel nearby. Limpet mines can have anti-handling devices placed on them that cause them to detonate if messed with. I suppose it’s possible it could have been shot by the Iranians to detonate. Either way, I get why some are skeptical of this story, but the tanker owner’s comments don’t make any sense.
FYI, Iran is still holding the crew of one of the tankers.
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