UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reports that a commercial vessel was abandoned by its crew after it suffered water ingress off the coast of Yemen on Sunday, June 23. The unidentified vessel was 96 nautical miles southeast of Nishtun when the crew sent out a distress call saying there was flooding that cannot be contained.
The crew were picked up by another vessel that was also in the area. UKMTO said the abandoned vessel remains adrift and the relevant authorities have been informed.
UKMTO said this is a SOLAS incident. Vessels are therefore advised to transit the area with caution and report any suspicious activity.
There is no evidence to suggest that the flooding was the result of a kinetic attack. The area of the incident is also far to the south of where Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have focused their attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden.
