LONDON, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker issued multiple distress calls early Tuesday after coming under attack in the Gulf of Oman, according to recordings from the maritime VHF radio channel near the Strait of Hormuz obtained by Xinhua.
The recordings, provided exclusively to Xinhua by a crew member aboard a nearby merchant vessel, captured radio transmissions from the attacked ship, which reported that it had been struck by a drone on its port side.
The vessel said a fire had broken out in its engine room, producing heavy smoke, while the crew was unable to assess the full extent of the damage. It requested assistance from nearby coast radio stations and naval forces.
The crew also reported that all personnel on board were safe and had mustered on the starboard side.
The vessel identified itself over the radio as AL REKAYYAT, an LNG carrier.
Given the highly flammable nature of LNG cargo, any attack on such a vessel could pose serious safety risks, said the seafarer who provided the recordings. ■