Soviet Tug Reported Near Guadalcanal
MANAMA, Bahrain — A sophisticated Soviet salvage tug has sailed into dangerous northern Persian Gulf waters and taken up station near the U.S. amphibious assault ship Guadalcanal, shipping sources in the region said Monday.
The Soviet tug, bearing the markings SB-522, was first seen in the Strait of Hormuz about two weeks ago and is now reported patrolling waters about 30 miles north of Bahrain.
“The tug seems to have shadowed the Guadalcanal up the gulf, and I am sure the Soviets have a strong interest in its activities,” one shipping source said.
The sources said the Soviet tug, with comprehensive firefighting equipment, would be ready to aid three Soviet oil tankers leased to Kuwait as part of the Kuwaiti plan to protect its oil exports from Iranian attack.
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