Attacks on the MV Tutor
| Attacks on the MV Tutor | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Red Sea crisis and spillover of the Israel–Hamas war | |
| Location | Red Sea, 66.7 nautical miles (123.5 km; 76.8 mi) southwest of Al Hudaydah |
| Date | 12 June 2024 |
| Target | MV Tutor |
| Weapons |
|
| Deaths | 1 Filipino killed |
| Perpetrators |  Houthi movement |
On 12 June 2024, the Yemeni Houthi movement attacked the MV Tutor, a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, in the southern Red Sea with an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and a missile, killing one crewmember. The vessel was seriously damaged, and later abandoned by her crew. The attack was the first successful usage of a USV by the Houthis during the Red Sea crisis.
Background
Red Sea crisis
Since November 2023, the Houthis, who captured the capital of Yemen in 2014 during the country's civil war, have conducted attacks against merchant and naval vessels they claim are linked to Israel, mainly in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.[1] The attacks are carried out in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Israel–Hamas war, which began after Hamas led an attack against Israel which saw over 1,200 people killed and 250 taken hostage.[2] Israel's response saw an air, ground and sea assault on the Gaza Strip in which the Gaza Health Ministry reported that over 37,000 Palestinians were killed. The attacks sparked airstrikes led by the United States and United Kingdom against targets in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen.[3]
The attacks forced shipping to move around Africa and away from the Red Sea, which previously accounted for 12% of global trade.[2][4] Major companies across sixty-five countries have been affected by the crisis, including Shell, BP and Maersk.[5] Throughout the Houthi campaign, over 50 ships were attacked, three sailors were killed, and one ship, the MV Rubymar, was hijacked.[1]
MV Tutor
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tutor |
| Owner | Evalend Shipping |
| Port of registry |  Liberia |
| Completed | 2022 |
| Identification |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Bulk carrier |
| Tonnage | 82,000 GT |
| Length | 229 m (751 ft 4 in) |
| Beam | 32.3 m (106 ft 0 in) |
| Crew | 22 |
MV Tutor is a coal carrier which sails under the flag of Liberia with a length overall of 229 metres (751 ft) and a width of 32.3 metres (106 ft).[6][7] She was built in 2022 with a deadweight tonnage of 82,000 tons.[8]
Attacks
At 07:10 AST, the Tutor's master reported an attack around 66.7 nautical miles (123.5 km; 76.8 mi) southwest of Al Hudaydah.[8] The ship was directly struck on her stern by a USV, which the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) described as a "small, 5–7 metres (16–23 ft) long craft of white color". The attack caused severe damage to her engine room, where a crew member was located.[2][9] Later, she was struck again on her enginge room by an unknown aerial projectile, likely a missile.[10][8] The engine room faced severe flooding and reportedly a fire, causing the crew to lose control of the ship.[3][11] On 13 June, Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the attack, adding that the ship was targeted with a number of missiles and drones along with the missile and USV, which he called a "drone boat".[12][1]
Her crew eventually abandoned the ship with the help of US and allied forces in the Red Sea, including the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's carrier strike group, military helicopters from USS Philippine Sea (CG-58),[13][14] and a French frigate.[15] Twenty-one of the 22 crew members were rescued and airlifted to a US Navy cruiser before being sent to Eisenhower for medical check-ups. Initial reports said that the crew would be evacuated to Djibouti.[15] The Filipino crew members, who made up a majority of the crew, were then transported to the port of Manama, Bahrain before being taken via plane to Manila, Philippines.[16] The Filipino crew member who remained missing was confirmed deceased by US official John Kirby on 18 June.[17]
Aftermath
On 15 June, the US conducted airstrikes against seven Houthi radar systems inside Yemen which allowed them to target vessels.[13] The strikes were reportedly in response to the attacks on the Tutor.[15]
Also on that date, the Houthis claimed that the ship was at risk of sinking. US Central Command (CENTCOM) acknowledged severe flooding, with the vessel slowly taking in water.[15] Two tugboats from the Tsavliris Salvage Group were deployed to recover the vessel.[18][19]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Yemen's Houthi rebels launch boat-borne bomb attack against Greek-owned ship in Red Sea". AP News. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b c "Red Sea attacks: Ship severely flooded after Houthi attack". BBC News. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Yemen's Houthis say they targeted Greek-owned ship in Red Sea". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Merchant ship attacked off Yemen coast". Voice of America. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Houthi attack forces crew to abandon coal carrier in Red Sea". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "TUTOR".
- ^ "TUTOR, Bulk Carrier - Details and current position - IMO 9942627 - VesselFinder". www.vesselfinder.com. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b c Papachristou, Harry (12 June 2024). "Stricken Evalend bulker needs assistance after Houthi strike in Red Sea". TradeWinds. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "One Seafarer Missing on Disabled Ship and Second Injured in Houthi Attacks". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Houthis say they targeted Greek-owned ship damaged in Red Sea". Reuters.
- ^ "Greek Bulker Hit and Taking On Water After Multiple Houthi Attacks". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Yemen's Houthis target Tutor ship in Red Sea". The Jerusalem Post. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Civilian mariner remains missing 2 days after Houthi militants struck cargo ship in Red Sea". CNN. 15 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "US Naval forces rescue crew from Greek-owned ship struck by Houthis in Red Sea". Reuters.
- ^ a b c d "Two Bulkers in Danger of Sinking After Houthi Attacks". The Maritime Executive. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "US Navy airlifts crew of merchant ship hit by the Houthis | World News". The Indian Express. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Filipino sailor killed in Houthi attack on cargo ship, White House says". The National. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ Papachristou, Harry (15 June 2024). "Tutor salvage operation still on after crew abandons ship in the Red Sea". TradeWinds. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ^ "Stricken Red Sea Ship Is Taking on Water as It Awaits Salvage". Bloomberg. 15 June 2024.