Twelve 'Suspicious' Boats Surround Bulk Carrier Off Yemen

On Sunday, June 30, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a dozen suspicious small boats surrounded a vessel in the Red Sea. The incident took place 13 nautical miles from Al Mukha, Yemen.

According to UKMTO, the bulk carrier Summer Lady was approached by twelve small crafts, including some fast boats and unmanned kayak-like boats. The captain reported that the small boats came within 1.5 nautical miles of the vessel and stayed nearby for about an hour before leaving. No casualties were reported, and the vessel remained undamaged and continued its journey.

Later that same day, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed three uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) belonging to the Houthis in the Red Sea. It is not clear whether these USVs were part of the group that approached the Summer Lady.

The Summer Lady, a Marshall Islands-registered bulk carrier, departed from Salalah, Oman, on June 27.