>>Aye but I'd've thought the frigate's radar would be able to pick up another naval vesel coming in ... fast.
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>Small-ish plastic river boat, coming from behind the ship that was being searched.... perhaps didn't show up on the radar.

Well if that's the case, we had a smallish plastic boat of boot-necks. Why'd they let a similar-sized bunch of Iranian matelots take 'em. Doesn't make sense.

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>>>Perhaps the rules of engagement prevented the frigate from firing on the vessels, or it was thought that they might injure the UK soldiers. The British commander was on CNN International going on and on about being pround of his men of adhering to the rules of engagement and that he was going to congratulate them when they got back.
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>>That's the trouble - we always adhere to the rules and others don't.
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>The fight is harder, but playing by the rules wins hearts and minds.