Tanker Attacked, West of Hodeidah, Red Sea
Issued: 8 months, 1 week ago
| Date | Reference | Region | Category | Aggressors | Source |
| 2024-08-21 03:15:00 | CW Alert 012- (Aug 24) | Indian Ocean | Attack | MILITANTS | UKMTO/CLOSED SOURCE/NAVAREA/OPEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| It has been reported that a cargo vessel has been attacked approximately 77nm west of Hodeidah, Yemen. Initial reports state that the cargo vessel was under attack by two skiffs, one skiff had up to five persons on board whilst the second skiff had more than 10 persons on board. UPDATE 1: Further information has been received and the vessel involved is a Greek-flagged tanker. UPDATE 2: It has been reported that the two skiffs hailed the tanker leading to a brief exchange of small firearms, this led to the distance between the skiffs and the tanker to increase to 2nm. At 0500UTC the Master reported being struck by a total of three unidentified projectiles. The vessel has reported to be not under command, no casualties have been reported. Clearwater will continue to investigate this incident and upon receipt of confirmed information, an update will be issued. UPDATE 3: It has been reported by the Master at 0549 UTC that a further attack by an unknown projectile has taken place (exact position not specified). The attack has caused a fire onboard, and the vessel has since lost engine power. The vessel has reported to be drifting and is not under command. Further, the Master has reported a small suspicious craft in the vicinity of the vessel. UPDATE 4: It has been reported that the crew have been rescued by the French Navy and the tanker is now drifting in position 14°59N 041°37E. UPDATE 5: Reports have stated that the French Navy destroyed a USV in the vicinity of the tanker. A further UKMTO report has also been issued reporting that the tanker is anchored. UPDATE 6: The UKMTO have reported that three fires have been observed onboard and the vessel now appears to be drifting. Clearwater will continue to investigate this incident. UPDATE 7: A further report from the UKMTO states that the vessel remains afloat and is believed to be drifting in position 15.00N 041.39E at 0740 UTC. UPDATE 8: A report from NAVAREA IX states that the vessel remains afloat and is drifting in position 14° 59.24' N 041° 39.06' E at 1500 UTC. UPDATE 9: A salvage operation is due to commence on the morning of 2nd September 2024. UPDATE 10: The proposed salvage operation for this vessel is now scheduled to commence PM 13th September 2024 at position 14° 59.24'N 041° 39.06'E. Mariners are requested to navigate with caution and give a wide berth of 5nm. UPDATE 11: Information has been received stating that on the 14th of September, the EUNAVFOR warships and salvage vessels reached the tanker and began the salvage operation. UPDATE 12: EUNAVFOR have confirmed that on the 14th of September, the salvage tugboats successfully connected to the vessel and are towing her to a safe location under escort. UPDATE 13: EUNAVFOR have confirmed the vessel has been towed to a safe location without any oil spill. UPDATE 14: The JMIC have confirmed that the vessel remains anchored at 17° 08.00'N 039° 48.00'E and that all vessels should avoid the area. All firefighting equipment is in position and the firefighting could take several weeks. Further operations will not be carried out until the vessel has been made safe. UPDATE 15: It has been reported that the vessel has been declared as safe, and its cargo has now been removed. | |||||