Skip to main content

Houthis Attack Ships in Red Sea, Cordelia Moon Takes on Water

Red Sea, October 1st, 2024 - In a concerning development for maritime security, Houthi forces have attacked two commercial vessels in the Red Sea today.

The first targeted ship, the Panamanian-flagged crude oil tanker Cordelia Moon (IMO: 9297888), had just delivered a million barrels of Russian crude to India and was currently empty. This empty state, according to TankerTrackers.com, makes the vessel more susceptible to explosions, citing the infamous PABLO incident as an example. Additionally, the empty hull sits higher in the water, presenting a larger target.

Reports indicate the Houthis launched four anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) at the Cordelia Moon, all of which missed. However, the vessel was subsequently struck by an unmanned surface vessel (USV), resulting in water ingress.

The second vessel targeted was the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Minoan Courage. Details surrounding the attack on this ship are scarce, but reports suggest it was hit by a single ASBM. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported on either vessel.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a warning (Incident 124 - Attack Update 003) regarding the incident, urging all vessels in the area to exercise extreme caution.

This attack marks a significant escalation in Houthi activity in the Red Sea and raises concerns for the safety of commercial shipping in the vital trade route.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

  On the night of March 6, 2025, at 22:16 UTC, a crew member of the merchant vessel MV Ariadne fell overboard in the central Adriatic Sea, approximately 30 nautical miles off the Italian coast, at latitude 41°39'N and longitude 16°50'E. Current weather conditions in the area are favorable, aiding search and rescue operations. The Italian Coast Guard promptly initiated search operations, deploying naval units and helicopters to locate the missing mariner. All vessels transiting the area have been alerted and are requested to maintain vigilant watch, reporting any sightings to the National Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (IMRCC) in Rome. The Coast Guard commander emphasized the importance of collaboration among maritime units in emergencies like this, noting that swift intervention is crucial to increasing the chances of successful rescue operations. Search efforts will continue unabated until the missing mariner is found or until authorities deem it necessary to conclude ...

Distress Alert: Sailing Vessel Kiliki Overdue and in Need of Assistance

UPDATE:  The crew members were rescued.

The Dramatic Ordeal of M/V CHRISTINA DEBORA: From Mechanical Failure to Abandonment in the Mid-Atlantic

In June 2025, the standby safety vessel CHRISTINA DEBORA , 38.77 meters in length, experienced a maritime emergency that culminated in its abandonment in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean after drifting powerless for more than two weeks. The vessel had been sold and reflagged to Zanzibar either shortly before or just after leaving South Africa. The Beginning of the Crisis – June 8, 2025 The ordeal began on Sunday, June 8, when CHRISTINA DEBORA , navigating approximately 300 nautical miles northwest of St. Helena Island, suffered a major clutch failure, completely losing propulsion. Seven crew members were onboard at the time. The distress call was officially reported by MRCC NATAL on June 11: the vessel was adrift and urgently required clutch repair parts as well as potable water. Captain Victor managed to contact Johnny Clingham, the administrator of the Facebook group “St Helena’s Talk Group,” who verified the authenticity of the request and informed the wider maritime community. ...