An armed security team shot and destroyed an explosives-filled sea drone seconds before it could hit a container ship in the Red Sea, according to online footage verified by TradeWinds.
The dramatic video, believed to have been recorded by a member of the crew, shows the three armed guards monitoring the drone’s erratic progress towards the 5,060-teu Pumba (built 2006) before opening fire.
Spumes of water are visible as bullets land close to the drone as it heads towards the vessel before the team scores a direct hit and detonates the explosive just 30 metres away, according to the footage and security assessments.
The footage is believed to be the first showing an effective security operation against a sea drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
It was the sixth such attack since the group changed tactics to increase its use of unmanned craft against merchant shipping.
Security sources said the successful operation by the team from Ambrey Analytics highlights the vital role of well-drilled, well-equipped guards to combat the threat from sea-based drones, following concerns at the response of an armed team from another security firm, which failed to stop a sea drone before it hit and sank a Greek-owned bulker in June.
Members of the team from the unidentified security firm did not appear to have their rifles loaded or fire warning shots before the drone hit Evalend Shipping’s 82,000-dwt Tutor (built 2022).
The attack killed a Filipino second engineer and forced the crew to abandon the sinking ship.
The latest footage from Saturday shows one of the repeated assaults on the Pumba 64 nautical miles (about 120 km) north-west of Mocha in the Red Sea.
It was first targeted by a drone from the air that exploded 10 metres from the ship and started a small fire that was swiftly put out, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center, which supplies details of attacks to shipping.
Less than an hour later, the ship was approached by two manned skiffs, which were believed to be controlling a third vessel, the sea drone, from a distance.
The security team are heard discussing on the footage if the fast-approaching craft is manned, before deciding to fire warning shots and then targeting the drone when it was within 1 km of the ship.
Security teams have to demonstrate a proportionate and reasonable response but have the right of self-defence against a lethal threat.
The Liberian-flagged Pumba, under the management of Singapore-based SeaLead Shipping, was later targeted by a second missile that exploded before reaching the ship.
A hole was later discovered in the stern, six metres above the waterline, but it was not clear what caused the damage. None of the crew were hurt and the ship continued to its next port of call.
The Indian authorities on Monday urged shipping companies operating in the Red Sea to carry out a full security review of their armed teams following the Tutor episode.
The Indian Directorate General of Shipping said the sinking of the Tutor, the first by a sea drone, had raised questions about the effectiveness and qualifications of some security teams operating in the region.
“The incident underscores the need for a comprehensive review of security protocols and onboard armed security personnel qualifications to ensure they are commensurate with the evolving nature of maritime threats in high-risk areas,” it said.
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