The Gulf Sky tanker went “missing” on July 5 from its anchor near the UAE and then was found on July 15 off the coast of Iran. I’ve written several articles about it, I want to go back and provide some documents and history so as to have an easy place of reference.

July 16

Sam Madani:

July 15

July 15 joint statement by Human Rights at Sea

Following the rapidly emerging case of the alleged kidnap of 28 Indian seafarers of the MV Gulf Sky the evening of 5 July 2020 by unknown persons and their forced transfer to Iranian waters, resulting, at the time of writing, in 26 seafarers being repatriated to India and two remaining in Tehran, awaiting documentary clearance, the Dominica Maritime Flag Administration and Human Rights at Sea would like to highlight the following short points. Both organisations are very pleased that all Indian seafarers are safe and well and that their ordeal is now over, noting that it is understood that two seafarers are awaiting on repatriation from Iran. The 28-man crew will be the ultimate source of the facts of the incident and debriefing is still ongoing by the relevant agencies.

Further July 15 report:

The vessel was under arrest under a UAE Admiralty Law injunction and was issued a Prohibition to Sail notice via the Commonwealth of Dominica while anchored off Port Khor Fakkan Anch. The tanker, however, has left UAE waters violating both the injunction and the prohibition to sail, and the last signal received from the vessel was eight days ago, the organization said on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Human Rights at Sea’s CEO, David Hammond, told the AP that the tanker had been hijacked and was in Iranian waters. Two of the Indian sailors remained in Tehran while the others made it back to India, Hammond told the AP.

Times of India: Oil tanker with Indian crew “missing.”

Safety at Sea:

Also

July 12

From

“@AllSeafarers Sir Please Can u get Info about Vessel Gulf Sky,Al khorfakkan Anchorage,From last 15 days No contact with any crew Member,and harbour master statement”Vessel not in anchorage position”.Some crew memeber family in too much strees”

Concern raised over Gulf Sky.

June

Late June report of Dominica and HRAS working on this case (here)

May 2020

May 1: Amir Dianat linked to case of Gulf Sky.