On December 5, the 107 meter long, 9022 dwt container/cargo vessel Isa Star (IMO: 9210270) sustain an explosion in the Red Sea off Hodeidah, Yemen. The Isa Star alerted authorities it had suffered an explosion in the engine room resulting in fire and hull damage. The explosion was strong enough to damage the hull to allow water ingress. Without any way to control the flooding, the crew of the Isa Star requested evacuation. The European Union naval mission Aspidas dispatched a vessel which was able to safely evacuate all the crew off the Isa Star. The crew would be taken to Djibouti. Reports do not state if there was any injuries or the final outcome of the Isa Star.
On August 21, the 274 meter long, 163,759 dwt oil tanker Sounion (IMO: 9312145) caught fire in the Red Sea some 77 nautical miles off Hodeidah, Yeman. The Sounion was enroute to Iraq with 150,000 tons of crude oil when it was approached by two small vessels off Yemen. The vessels approached the tanker within a few miles before they turned away after an exchange of small arms fire. Soon after the Sounion was struck by multiple projectiles resulting in explosions and fire on board the tanker. Reports state the engine room sustained material damage disabling the steering. The Sounion went adrift for a short time before the crew was later able to drop anchor.
Photo: x.com
Conflicting reports state the crew of 25 on board the Sounion remained on board the tanker to assess damage. However, there are reports that the crew had abandoned ship in the vessel’s lifeboat and was rescued by the nearby vessel. This same report stated the crew was later transported to Dijbouti. No reports of the extent of damage caused by the projectiles on board the Sounion or if any oil pollution had been released.
The attack on the Sounion was not an isolated event. The 190 meter long, 55989 dwt bulk carrier SW North Wind (IMO: 9514004) reported five explosions near the vessel while 57 miles off Aden. The explosions did not cause any damage and there were no reports of injuries. The bulk carrier was able to continue on its voyage.
On June 26, the 99 meter long, 6764 dwt tanker Rama 2 sank in bad weather in the Gulf of Aden near Socotra Island, Yemen. The Rama 2 was en route to Al Hamriya, UAE with 5500 tons of gasoline. While off Oman, weather conditions worsen with waves reaching 5 meters. The tanker had suffered some structural failure and developed a heavy list to starboard. The crew sent out a distress call stating the Rama 2 was sinking and needed assistance. As the list increased, the crew attempted to abandon ship. However, the vessel’s lifeboat was unable to launch leaving the 14 crew to use the vessel’s life rafts.
Photo: Combined Maritime Force
Photo: Combined Maritime Force
Rama 2 formerly the Saxen
The distress call was relayed to the Combined Maritime Force which launched a search and rescue plan. Multiple UK Naval ships and aircraft along with three commercial vessels tanker MTM Tortola, LNG tanker Soyo and tanker Sea Power assisted in the operation. The MTM Tortola arrived on scene and was able to rescue 10 crew from the water. Two more crew were rescued by the Sea Power. The remaining two crew were still missing. One was spotted by aircraft and later hoisted to safety by a UK helicopter. The remaining crewman could not be recovered and was reported to be deceased.
Reports state there was a large oil slick where the Rama 2 had sunk, but the heavy seas was dispersing the pollution.
