23 Filipino seafarers rescued from drifting tanker attacked in Red Sea

MANILA, Philippines – Twenty-three Filipino seafarers aboard the MT Sounion have been rescued by a European Union naval mission following missile attacks on their tanker in the Red Sea, an official from the mission told Reuters on Thursday, August 22.

The 23 Filipinos comprised the majority of the 25-member crew aboard the MT Sounion, which was attacked in the afternoon of Wednesday, August 21 (Manila time). The two other crew, who included the captain, are Russian.

Yemeni Houthi rebels, who have been attacking international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in connection with Israel’s war against Palestinian militant group Hamas, have yet to claim responsibility for the attack. However, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said it “appears” to be a Houthi attack.

“I personally am in communication with one of [the crew members] and understandably they are anxious,” said Cacdac in a Thursday press briefing with local reporters held prior to the report of rescue by the EU’s Red Sea naval mission, Operation Aspides.

None of the Filipino seafarers reported injuries, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

Two small boats repeatedly attacked the Greek-flagged tanker, hitting it with multiple projectiles around 77 nautical miles west of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah.

According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, there was a brief exchange of small arms fire during the incident. In a later update, the UKMTO said the ship reported another attack that caused a fire, and led the vessel to lose engine power and its ability to maneuver.

The attacks caused the ship to take in water, but not enough to sink it, making the ship go adrift. Citing reports made to the DMW, Cacdac said the tanker would no longer be able to resume its voyage due to damage to its engine, but it had enough food and necessities onboard for the crew to survive prior to their rescue.

Persistent danger

The Philippines has so far recorded at least nine grave incidents in warlike zones affecting Filipino seafarers.

One major incident involved the Galaxy Leader vessel, which has had 17 Filipinos hostaged aboard by the Houthis since November 2023.

There was also the incident on bulk carrier True Confidence, where two Filipinos died in an attack in March. Another notable incident was the attack on the MV Tutor in June, which led to a Filipino seafarer going missing.

As of Thursday, there were no new updates on rescuing the 17 hostages and finding the missing seafarer. Philippine authorities continue to work towards recovering them.

In the Philippines’ current deployment policy, all Filipino seafarers are banned from working on passenger and cruise vessels traversing the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

While having the right to refuse sailing, Filipinos may still be deployed to cargo vessels in the conflict-ridden areas, but are entitled to double compensation and other benefits if they choose to take the risk.

Cacdac said all protocols were followed with the Sounion crew. The department was aware that it would traverse the Red Sea, and the seafarers had consented to continue the voyage.

However, the DMW also has a department order saying that once a ship has been attacked in a warlike area, the principal or shipowner will be barred from boarding Filipino seafarers on any of its voyages navigating through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. There are three shipowners with this restriction, with the DMW intending to add six more, including Sounion’s principal.

Cacdac said the DMW was open to amending its deployment policies, as its officials are set to meet with the International Advisory Committee on Global Maritime Affairs on Friday, August 23.

The DMW expects to repatriate the Filipinos rescued from the MT Sounion. – with reports from Reuters/Rappler.com