U.S. ship fires on boat off Dubai coast; 1 dead

The replenishment oiler USNS Rappahannock sails alongside the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the Pacific Ocean Oct. 4, 2011. / U.S. Navy/Spc. Seaman Erin Devenberg

Updated at 3:18 p.m. ET

(CBS/AP) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A U.S. Navy ship opened fire on a small boat racing toward it Monday near the Gulf city of Dubai, killing one person, according to American officials.

In a statement, the Navy said the USNS Rappahannock fired on the boat with its .50-caliber machine gun after the boat "disregarded warnings and rapidly approached" the U.S. ship near Dubai's Jebel Ali port. The Rappahannock "repeatedly attempted" to warn the vessel to turn away from the ship before firing, the statement says.

The Navy said the incident is under investigation.

The Rappahannock is an oiler used to fuel other Navy ships while they are at sea.

The United Arab Emirates, which includes the commercial hub of Dubai and the oil-rich capital Abu Dhabi, is a key American ally in the Gulf. American warships frequently visit Dubai's Jebel Ali port, a popular rest stop among U.S. sailors.

A U.S. consular official told The Associated Press that one person was killed and three wounded in the shooting.

The official gave no other details, but it appeared that U.S. personnel could have seen the boat — mistakenly or not — as a threat in Gulf waters not far from Iran's maritime boundaries.

The white-hulled boat was inspected by dozens of police and other Emirati officials after the incident in a small Dubai port used by fishermen and sailors.

The boat appeared to be a civilian vessel about 30 feet long and powered by three outboard motors. It had no obvious military markings.

Similar boats are used for fishing in the region, though Iran's Revolutionary Guard also employs relatively small, fast-moving craft in the Gulf.

Rescue workers were seen carrying one person in a body bag off the boat and placing it in an ambulance as fishermen looked on. Officials moved the boat from the harbor shortly afterward.

An Emirati rescue official at the scene confirmed the casualty toll.

Another UAE official familiar with the incident said authorities "are looking into the matter and will be issuing a report at a later stage."

Like the U.S. consular official, they spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the incident between the two allies.

Hours after the incident, the Pentagon announced it was sending an aircraft carrier to the Middle East several months early to make sure at least two carriers will constantly be present in the troubled region.

There are two carriers in the area now, but one was scheduled to leave before its replacement arrived to fill that gap, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has approved sending by late summer the USS John C. Stennis strike group, which also includes the Aegis guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay and some 5,500 sailors.

The extra presence was approved late last week on a request by Gen. James Mattis, commander of U.S. Central Command, Pentagon press Secretary George Little said Monday.

Questioned about whether the deployment is a response to problems with Iran or perhaps the violence in Syria, he declined to be specific. Little said the need comes from a "wide range of security issues" in the region.

"This is not about any one particular country or any one particular threat," he said.

U.S. military vessels routinely cross paths with Iranian ships in international waters in the Gulf without incident, but speed boats from Iran's Revolutionary Guard have passed close to U.S. ships in incidents that have raised alarm in Washington.

In early 2008, then President Bush accused Iran of a "provocative act" after five small Iranian craft buzzed around the destroyer USS Hopper.

Tensions are elevated in the Gulf after Iran last week renewed threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz — the route for one-fifth of the world's oil — in retaliation for tighter sanctions over Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. recently boosted its naval presence in the Gulf with additional minesweepers and other warships.

The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi had no immediate comment, referring all questions to the Navy.

[modernj]

Indians don't rush at the U.S. navy, heed our warnings, and if especially there are disputes in the region, it's not free for you to do whatever you want. Plus don't expect compensation for your stupidity.

[David_Tampa]

WoW I was a boater for years (40 ft fly bridge sedan ). At first glance, that rusty ship does not look like it belongs to the USN. At 900 yards, it is difficult to see anything into the sun. The little boat had no radio. The article said nothing about warning shots fired. All articles say that firing commenced at 100 yards which is point blank for a .50 caliber.

Sounds like an accident to me. Sorry fish guys.

MAYBE...... if Muslims Arabs, and all other desert dwellers would stop screwing with the USA, the USN would not be in your waters, and we would have no accidents

[Calltwoarms]

Clearly the incident with the USS Cole was on their minds. It's much better to explain why they fired on a speeding boat than explain to their families why they're coming home in a box.

Happy hunting U.S.N.S. Rappahannock!

[lounsburyp]

So some sailors protected themselves from a perceived threat; that's not news in today's military, that's just what happened today. The story, among many others that are being completely under-reported by the liberal media is that the US is no longer a nation that belligerents feel any reason to fear consequences from. Obama did that one all by himself and is proud of it, so give the brother credit where it's due! Obama fired on that ship with a little help from the Navy, but since he couldn't figure out how to spin this one positive with the press it is of course being under-reported as one would expect from the left wing political machine which is in full swing.

The story is weakness, the perceived weakness (actual and just thought to be that way) and the US President who helped every gain made since WWII disappear while he watched. The story is about the arrogant tyrant we call Mr. President who lies and won't apologize let alone do something positive about the damage he has done personally the American Republic. But that's the problem, isn't it? That Barry doesn't understand that he isn't king or messiah, but based upon his treatment by the media, I can see how he is confused about himself.

[James_for_Today]

Got any other conspiracy theories up your sleeve?

[DC_Clark]

Thats one ship those slugs wont get near..good job

[Bigheader]

USNS Rappahannock is manned by civilians of the US Maritime services. USNS ship or USN ship are very capable at defending themsleves, especially when they are underway. The days of getting premission to shoot are long gone.

[venusvegasvada]

I don't care what language you use, everybody speaks 50 cal. just fine.

If they kept coming then they had it coming. They were up to something.

[ammo17]

i hope the oil speculators don`t get a hold of this story,gas will go up a dollar a gallon.GO NAVY!

[hamiltongrad]

UNFAIR USE OF FORCE - DISPROPORTIONATE USE of our WEAPONS !! ??? no.


Please consider: We have this huge powerful Navy with the best weapons available vs. a speedboat.
This is "Disproportionate use of Force" - That is if the Israelis are protecting themselves from the missiles, fire bombs, knifes, guns etc aimed at them daily. When we use it, or Russia, or any other nation on earth, it is understood, that we are protecting ourselves.
So the next time Israel has to protect itself, from the next "flotilla" of thugs with guns, "home made rockets", just remember this incident. Will you ??

[rickferry]

Let us not forget the USS Cole or the USS Liberty.

[mturner1938]

Here, catch this!