Submarine, mine could have caused MOL incident

Submarine, mine could have caused MOL incident    Two days after an MOL crude tanker reported an explosion affecting the ship near the Strait of Hormuz, local investigators suggested the incident could have been the result of a collision with a submarine or underwater mine.
   The Japanese line, however, is refusing to rule out the possibility that its very large crude carrier M. Star was attacked. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning in territorial waters off the coast of Oman, damaging the ship's hull and injuring one crewmember. A Reuters reporter who surveyed the ship reported 'a very large, square dent and puncture marks on one side of the hull' along with broken glass and doors. A lifeboat was also missing.
   MOL, in a statement Wednesday, characterized the incident as caused by external forces, though local officials suggested later in the day the damage may have been caused by an earthquake or rogue wave. Investigators have also not ruled out the possibility of an onboard explosion.