Yemen’s Houthi militants are believed to have sunk a second ship, the Tutor, in the Red Sea, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The Greek-owned Tutor coal carrier was struck by missiles and an explosive-laden remote-controlled boat last Wednesday and had been taking on water, as reported by UKMTO, the Houthis, and other sources.
In a security update, UKMTO stated, “Military authorities report maritime debris and oil sighted in the (Tutor’s) last reported location.”
One crew member, believed to have been in the Tutor’s engine room at the time of the attacks, remains missing. The Tutor’s manager could not immediately be reached for comment.
20240619-UKMTO_Daily_Summary-O.
UKMTO Daily Summary 1600UTC 18 June 2024 – 1600UTC 19 June 2024.https://t.co/lBGHDotJOT#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/9nhIQypqyM
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) June 19, 2024
The UK-owned Rubymar was the first ship sunk by the Houthis, going down on March 2, about two weeks after being struck by missiles.
The UKMTO’s report of the suspected Tutor sinking comes a week after the Houthis seriously damaged the Liberia-flagged ship, as well as the Palau-flagged Verbena, which was loaded with wood construction material.
The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned-and-operated Tutor sank in the Red Sea, the UKMTO, a capability of the Royal Navy, stated in a warning to sailors in the region. “Military authorities report maritime debris and oil sighted in the last reported location,” the UKMTO said. “The vessel is believed to have sunk.”
The Houthis, quoting foreign reports in media outlets they control, acknowledged the sinking.
Send frigates or R.N. destroyers for defend free shipping, oh wait there are no ships available.
Except for the ones already in the Red Sea and Gulf…
T45 in Red Sea
T23 Gulf
MCMV’s Gulf.
So how is that trite comment working out for you?
Well said.
Though it goes without saying that I’d love to have more ships, with crew, than we have currently…
One has to wonder what is the point to having overwhelming military force if no one will use it ? This is a proxy war being fought by the Houthi rebels on the behalf of Iran against the west as is Hezbollah and Hammas. They are sinking ships of countries who have zilch to do with the Palestine / Israel conflict, just because they can and it looks good on TV. We must know where the missiles are, where their command and control is so IMHO it’s time to just get “The Big Stick” out and send in the BUFFS… Read more »
👍😁
Perhaps the basis for a new ad/recruiting campaign: USAF, totally capable of creating new, precisely located, sand traps of any depth and/or size, for a revamped desert golf course. 🤔😉
Hope they can trace these buggers down and send some 🚀 back to the sender.
Question, is the sea patrol air cover not adequate in this region to prevent these attacks?
It’s almost impossible to track some guys in a truck on a beach. Besides the US/UK bombing campaigns, no one else seems to have the resolve to do anything about this. Let’s not make this another Iraq situation.
It’s a big area and one US carrier can only do so much. Not only do the Houthis control 200 km of Red Sea coastline, they fire South into the Gulf of Aden where the Iranian vessel Behshad allegedly has acted as a spotter. Last I know Behshad went back to Iran, but if it or a similar vessel returned and, Allah forbid, it suffered a catastrophic accident (it is a dangerous area after all), I do hope the crew will get home safely to their families.
👏👏
Softly, softly could be more effective. Less said the better.
Is it not about time we started sinking Iranian ships??
I forecast Paveways and JDAMs over Yemen in the near future.
Hey gents, on subject in a historical context- take a look on You Tube, at the 50 plus year old Pathe news coverage of the British withdrawal from Aden( British troops withdraw AKA Sir Humphrey Trevelyan leaves Aden). A fleet of 25 British warships(!!) including HMS Eagle, choppers, fast jets and a Guard of Honour-all part of a well executed hasty retreat similar to the last withdrawal by our American friends from Vietnam. Now that was how to leave in the best of British style!!
Nasser blamed the British for helping the Israelis during the Six Days War, a significant trigger for the revolt and the British withdrawal. Israel is once again the excuse for Yeminis to attack the West, this time triggered by Iran rather than Egypt. What’s the betting that once again when the war stops in Gaza, the Houthis just keep going?
Indeed Jon-groups such as Hamas, Houthis, and Hezbollah seem to have a love of fighting over and above any cause they think might justify their actions! I was only 7 years old when the Brits and French invaded Suez but remember it well especially from British Movietone News and Pathe. PM Anthony Eden was on prescription drugs and could not get over his wife having an affair so stuffed things up royally! He should have chatted to Ike before triggering the invasion!