SEAFARERS FEAR FOR LIVES AFTER DEATHS IN RED SEA

▶ Charities speak of amputations and burns as Houthis launch more attacks

Sailors are reassessing whether their jobs are worth the risks, with some deciding to abandon contracts and return home, after a Houthi missile attack on a ship in the Red Sea killed three people on board.

The shipping industry has been on a war footing since the first assaults on commercial vessels by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels began in November, after the start of the Israel-Gaza war the previous month.

The Yemeni rebel group has said it would intensify its attacks over Ramadan, which began on Monday.

Yesterday, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group launched a missile attack against the Liberian-flagged Pinocchio container ship. He said it was a US vessel, but did not offer evidence.

Two anti-ship missiles were fired at the Pinocchio from Yemeni territory, resulting in no damage or injuries, US Central Command said.

Centcom said it had carried out six air strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday that destroyed “an unmanned underwater vessel and 18 anti-ship missiles in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen”.

“It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and US Navy ships in the region,” said Centcom.

The UK, which has taken part in strikes on the Houthis, said yesterday it was sending guided missile destroyer HMS Diamond to the Red Sea to replace the frigate HMS Richmond.

Last Wednesday, Houthi attacks caused fatalities for the first time since these strikes began. The chief officer, bosun and cook on board the Barbados-flagged True Confidence tanker were killed while sailing off the coast of Yemen.

Many sailors due to sail the route are looking to be released from contracts, say charities.

The crisis poses a recruitment problem for shipping companies, the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network non-governmental organisation said.

“At the moment, a lot of ships are still transiting the Red Sea,” said Chirag Bahri, the network’s international operations manager.

“This attack was the first fatal incident, but we also have a few injured and one sailor has had his leg amputated.

“This situation is going to be impacting a lot of seafarers and their families. These deaths will scare them as it is a frightening situation they find themselves – and the entire shipping industry – in.”

Mr Bahri, a former sailor who was taken hostage on a tanker by Somali pirates during his career, recognises the concerns and unease many crew members now feel.

“The companies are suffering and obviously there’s a lot of tension among seafarers,” he said. “If a rocket hits your vessel in the oil tank or somewhere on the bridge – it is catastrophic.”

Mr Bahri said that companies have a legal obligation to offer crew members a way out if they refuse to sail – though some sailors did not know this.

“High-risk routes are subject to maritime rules,” he said.

“This is not the first time they have been applied, as they were in place during the Gulf War and the height of Somali piracy.

“Unfortunately, not all seafarers are aware of this and how it can be used to protect themselves.”