Libyans Fire on Crude Oil Tanker "A Whale"

[GuinnessMan]

The Libyan's released a threat on Monday saying that they would bomb and destroy any vessel attempting to export oil from Libya illegally.

They've now just released a video showing them firing on the vessel "A Whale". Now the video is not confirmed and im not 100% sure that is an oil tanker they're trying to brass up, but it is most certainly owned by the same company that owns "A Whale".

Anwho, enough waffle from me, here's the video: -

[EH75]

Lack of exploding whales in video is disappointing.

On a serious note though, firing automatic weapons (and setting up an RPG, although it doesn't look like they fired it) at an oil tanker can't be a good idea. The ship in the video is "A Whale" though, you can see the name on the bow at one point.

[alistairuk]

Lack of exploding whales in video is disappointing.

I was equally as disappointed....

[GuinnessMan]

Edit

[EH75]

Yeah I thought the same but just looked it up on Marine Traffic and it is listed as an oil tanker, although there pictures showing it with lots of hatches and cranes, which I've never seen on a tanker before. As you say, must be a conversion.

[Steve]

The guy with the RPG is funny. Libyan 'very special' forces.

Ah right, I missed that first time around and all the gearing on deck confused me. Ship's obviously been converted at some stage...

I thought the cranes were a bit odd, but she's an OBO or something of the combination carrier ilk. Interesting that TMT are bankrupt too.

[gadget123]

I'm a little confused as to how a ship can just steal a country's oil. They must be going to a terminal where someone gives them oil to take away, it is their choice whether or not to load the ship.

[Rootsea]

I'm a little confused as to how a ship can just steal a country's oil. They must be going to a terminal where someone gives them oil to take away, it is their choice whether or not to load the ship.

Probably easier thank you might think. I'd imagine that what with the chaos Libya is in (in terms of its government and infrastructure) there are plently of palms available for greasing.

[YoungMariner]

I suspect its more of a political issue, rather then stealing.

[GuinnessMan]

I suspect its more of a political issue, rather then stealing.

It is indeed. There was a second article on there about how the guards and others at three of the plants in the East were striking and the threat was issued to stop them and others transporting Oil illegally from the striking terminals...

[thebrookster]

I may well be wrong, but that looks like two different ships no??

Near the end, when they move round to the starboard side, different paint job, and looks different on a first viewing.

[Steve]

I may well be wrong, but that looks like two different ships no??

Near the end, when they move round to the starboard side, different paint job, and looks different on a first viewing.

I had the same first impression, but it's just different lighting from the different angle. You can just see the tops of the cranes, and there can't be many geared OBOs out there.

[GuinnessMan]

edit

[Inland Pirate]

Its not a geared OBO, its a conversion from Bulk to Tanker...

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy...

[Steve]

Its not a geared OBO, its a conversion from Bulk to Tanker...

No, it's a purpose built combination carrier: http://www.navgathi.com/319000-tdw-v...vy-industries/