Crew abandons ship in Red Sea after Houthi attack
THE crew of a Greece-operated bulker was forced to abandon the vessel in the Red Sea after it was struck by Houthi projectiles and began taking on water, maritime security sources said on Sunday.
The Liberia-flagged Magic Seas(IMO: 9736169)was attacked about 51 nautical miles off Hodeidah by several skiffs with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, according to vessel’s technical manager, Greece-based Stem Shipping.
The vessel’s armed security team exchanged fire with the attackers.
According to maritime security firm Vanguard Tech, the vessel suffered a direct strike from a Houthi missile, while a second missile hit the water.
There were 19 crew onboard Magic Seas plus three armed security personnel, Vanguard said.
Multiple security sources reported around 1600 UTC that the crew had abandoned the ship.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported that the crew began preparations to evacuate around 15:00 UTC and that the vessel was taking on water.
The incident marks the first kinetic attack on commercial shipping by the Houthis since December 2024, when the Iran-backed militants twice attempted and failed to hit a US convoy in the Gulf of Aden with multiple projectiles.
The US and the Houthis agreed a ceasefire in early May, but the Yemeni factions said it would continue to target Israel-owned and -flagged vessels in the Red Sea.
On May 20, the Yemeni faction expanded that targeting profile, announcing a “maritime prohibition” on ships calling in the port of Haifa and threatening to attack ships of any company whose vessels called in the Israeli gateway.
Magic Seas is operated by Greece-based Allseas Marine, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence and Equasis.
Another vessel operated by Allseas have recently called in Israel, but not in Haifa, automatic identification system data showed.
Content Original Link:
" target="_blank">
