TANKER SETTLED IN WATER; SMALL BOATS ALONGSIDE; WATER PUMPED OUT; FROGMEN.




Initials PW/VS/MR/GLH



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Background: REPAIR WORK HAS STARTED ON THE BRITISH OIL TANKER AMASTRA WHICH WAS HOLED BY A MINE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN PLANTED BY SABOTEURS IN NHA TRANG HARBOUR, SOUTH VIETNAM. THE BLAST, WHICH HIT THE TANKER LAST WEDNESDAY, RIPPED A SIX-FOOT (180 CMS) HOLE BELOW THE WATER LINE IN THE ENGINE ROOM.

NONE OF THE CREW WAS INJURED AND DAMAGE WAS RESTRICTED BECAUSE THE 12,273-TON TANKER HAD JUST DISCHARGED ITS CARGO OF OIL. BUT THE SHIP QUICKLY SETTLED IN THE WATER AND SETTLED BY ITS STERN ON THE HARBOUR BOTTOM.

U.S. MILITARY AUTHORITIES BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION TO SEE HOW THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGE HIT THE TANKER. A SPOKESMAN SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE WORK OF VIET CONG.

WORK BEGAN IMMEDIATELY ON PUMPING OUT THE AMASTRA. FROGMEN WHO DIVED TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE ON THE TANKER'S HULL REPORTED THAT THE HOLE WAS EIGHT FEET (NEARLY TWO METRES) BELOW THE WATER LINE.

IN JANUARY, VIET CONG SNIPERS FIRED ON THE BRITISH TANKER HAUSTRUM IN THE SAIGON RIVER AND KILLED ONE CREWMAN.