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Iranian Support Vessel Bushehr Surrenders to Sri Lankan Authorities
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The entire crew of the Iranian auxiliary ship Bushehr has surrendered to the government of Sri Lanka.
The decision followed consultations between state authorities, diplomatic missions, and the vessel’s captain. A total of 208 crew members surrendered to the Sri Lankan government, аccording to NewsFirst on March 5.
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The President of Sri Lanka stated that as a neutral state, the country must handle such situations according to international law, specifically the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
He described the situation as unusual because the vessel belongs to a state involved in an ongoing situation. Consequently, the authorities are required to act strictly within the framework of international obligations.
Sri Lankan officials maintained constant communication with the crew, the captain, and the Iranian embassy, which kept Tehran informed throughout the process.
Following these discussions, the government offered to take the crew and the ship into its custody under agreed procedures and international conventions.
Although the vessel was located near the Port of Colombo, the President emphasized its importance as the country’s primary commercial hub. He noted that detaining a military or auxiliary vessel from a party involved in the situation there could negatively impact the maritime industry.
Earlier, an Iranian naval frigate, the IRIS Dena, sank off the southern coast of Sri Lanka following a suspected submarine attack. The incident left at least 101 crew members missing and dozens wounded, marking a significant expansion of the ongoing military actions involving Iran.
Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force units launched a large-scale search and rescue operation after receiving a distress signal from the vessel near the city of Galle, eventually rescuing 79 personnel.
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