RoRo Carrier Fires Warning Shots

The US Naval Forces Central Command issued the following press release:

MANAMA, Bahrain - While transiting north in international waters in the Central Arabian Gulf April 24 at approximately 8 a.m. local time, Motor Vessel Westward Venture was approached by two unidentified small boats.

Following proper procedure, Westward Venture issued standard queries to the small boats via bridge-to-bridge radio, but received no response. Westward Venture then activated a flare, which also did not receive a response.

The small boats continued toward Westward Venture and the ship's embarked security team fired warning shots. The small boats left the area. A short time later, Westward Venture received a query from a unit identifying itself as Iranian Coast Guard. It is not clear if this was one of the small boats or a separate boat. The query was routine and correct.

Westward Venture is a U.S. flagged and chartered roll-on/roll-off ship. It is a cargo ship approximately 1,000 feet long and owned by Totem Ocean Trailer Express Inc.