A group of five men armed with guns and knives have targeted an 'Waddi Feran' on the morning of July 16, 2024, at 2.30 a.m. in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore (SOMS) in pos. 1° 6'N 01° 103.43'2 E. The incident occurred approximately 1.3 nautical miles from Pulau Takong Light in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). After five armed men carrying knives and guns were seen in the engine room, the ship’s general alarm was activated to alert the crew, who then gathered in response to the emergency situation. No injuries were reported among the crew. The master reported the incident to Singapore Vessel Traffic Information Systems and a safe navigational broadcast was initiated. The Singapore Police Coast Guard boarded the vessel on its arrival at the anchorage and conducted a search, but no perpetrators were found.
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MSC UNIFIC VI
The Houthi terrorists announced over the weekend of July 13/14, 2024, that they had targeted the 'MSC Unific VI'. While the vessel was in the Gulf of Aden when they launched missiles towards the ship. The ship had reported departing Djibouti on July 11 en route to Colomboi.
OLVIA
The Cyprus-based Island Oil, the holding company which owns the 'Olvia', denied the Houthi attack claim on July 16. The Houthis had made claims about targeting ships in the Mediterranean in the past, which had not been substantiated. This would involve much bigger capabilities to strike in that area directly or using longer range ballistic missiles with precision. Anthony Madella, director of the Cyprus’ shipping ministry, also said no incident occurred. Maritime security sources said no vessel had been hit in those waters by the Iran-backed militia.
CHIOS LION
On July 15, 2024, The Houthi terrorists claimed to have targeted three vessels, the 'Bentley I', carrying vegetable oil from Russia to Shanghai, 'Chios Lion' and 'Olvia' with booby-trapped boats, ballistic missiles and drones. The 'Bentley I and 'Chios Lion' were sailing in the Red Sea, the 'Olvia' in the Mediterranean Sea. The U.S. Central Command has confirmed the attacks on the 'Bentley I and 'Chios Lion'. The 'Bentley I' was attacked by three surface vessels, two small boats, and one unmanned surface vessel (USV). The vessel was again targeted by an anti-ship ballistic missile. The 'Chios Lion'' was attacked using an unmanned surface vessel, which hit the ship at port side, and was heavily damaged. No crew members were injured in the incident, which occurred 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah. The damage on the tanker was being assessed with a potential oil spill also being considered. While originally headed south, the vessel turned around and headed north out of the threat area following the attack. Report with photo and video: https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-tanker-reverses-course-after-being-damaged-in-houthi-attack
BENTLEY
Houthi terrorists on July 16, 2024, said they targeted two tankers, the 'Bentley I' and the 'Chios Lion', in the Red Sea with missiles and drones after a British security agency reported several attacks in the waterway. The 'Bentley I' was allegedly attacked with drone boats, unmanned aerial vehicles, and ballistic missiles, while the 'Chios Lion' was targeted with uncrewed surface vessels. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a ship sailing southwest of the port city of Hodeidah came under attack from three small vessels, two of which had three people each on board. The third skiff was unmanned, according to the agency. The unmanned small craft collided with the vessel twice and the two manned small craft fired at the vessel. "After 15 minutes, the small craft aborted the attack. The vessel and crew were reportedly safe and the vessel was proceeding to its next port of call." The same ship later reported four missiles exploding in close proximity. The strikes did not cause any injuries or damage. British maritime security firm Ambrey also reported the attack, stating the vessel had a private armed security team on board. In a separate incident on Monday, an uncrewed surface vessel impacted a merchant vessel 97 nautical miles northwest of Hodeidah. according to UKMTO. The attack caused some damage and light smoke. The vessel and crew were reportedly safe and proceeding to next port of call.