Dubai impounds cable slicing ships

[Eugene]

Source: The Register

Dubai impounds cable slicing ships
Satellite images used to ID Gulf cable miscreants

By Lewis Page
Published Monday 14th April 2008 10:02 GMT

Two ships whose anchors damaged an undersea cable in
the Gulf have been traced by the cable operating
company using satellite imagery. The owners of one
vessel have paid compensation for the damage caused,
and the second remains impounded by Dubai port
authorities.

The Hindu of India (where cable company Reliance is
headquartered) reported last week that company officials
said they had identified the ships and located both in
Dubai.

-snip-

The Khaleej Times reported on Friday that an officer of
the Korean-owned MT Ann had admitted liability, and the
owners had paid $60,000 compensation to Reliance. The
Ann has now been released.

The other vessel, MV Hounslow, remains impounded. The
Hounslow is said to be Iraqi owned, and it appears that
her captain was not on board when the vessel was seized
by Dubai coastguards and police. Two crewmembers who
were present have been arrested. Some $350,000 is sought
in the case of the Hounslow, which is accused by Reliance
of having abandoned its anchor after having tried and
failed to get it free of the cable.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/14/undersea_cable_cut_ships_nabbed