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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the Liberian-flagged Oil Tanker DELTA BLUE (IMO: 9601235 ) was involved in at least three separate attacks approximately 45NM south of Al Mukha, Yemen.
The Master of the DELTA BLUE reported during the first attack that an RPG exploded near the vessel, fired from two small craft (white and black in color) that closed to approximately 500m away from the vessel, each with four individuals wearing yellow raincoats. The rocket was reportedly fired from the vessel's Port side and missed the DELTA BLUE to the aft by approximately 50 to 100 meters.
The second attack was reported in position 13° 57’ 00”N, 042° 28’ 00”E at 22:45UTC on the same day. The Master again reported that a missile had splashed 50m aft of the vessel, causing minor damage to the lighting on the bridge. The Master was reportedly unable to conduct a full damage assessment at the time, although he reported that the integrity and propulsion of the vessel had not been affected.
The third attack was reported in position 14° 57’ 00”N, 041° 59’ 00”E at 03:40UTC early the following morning 9 August. The Master of the DELTA BLUE advised that the vessel was attacked by an Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), reported to have been 1NM away from the vessel. Shots were fired by the Armed Security Team (AST) towards the USV resulting in the USV being destroyed.
The vessel and crew were otherwise unharmed and the DELTA BLUE continued to her next port of call.
There have been reports of significant activity in the region during the period of these attacks. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that it destroyed two Houthi anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCM) and one Houthi ground control station, as well as a drone boat in the Red Sea.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree also made a statement that earlier (Wednesday, August 7) the Houthi air force had launched drones against the US destroyer COLE (DDG-67) and fired a number of anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) at the US destroyer LABOON (DDG-58) on Wednesday.
Saree also stated that the Liberia-flagged Container Ship CONTSHIP ONO (IMO: 9324978) was also targeted with ballistic missiles and drones, however Contships Management in Athens confirmed the vessel had not been hit and its crew were safe.
All vessels in the area are advised to proceed with caution and to report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.
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