ATHENS (Reuters) -Greece will deploy a salvage vessel within the Purple Sea to help in maritime accidents and shield seafarers and international delivery, the delivery minister stated on Thursday, following assaults on two Greek vessels by Yemen’s Houthi militants this month.
Two Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ships, Magic Seas and Eternity C, sank off Yemen after repeated assaults by the Iran-aligned militant group.
The strikes on the 2 vessels marked a resumption of assaults on delivery by the Houthis, who struck greater than 100 ships between November 2023 and December 2024 in what they stated was a present of solidarity with the Palestinians within the battle in Gaza.
Transport Minister Vassilis Kikilias stated the salvage vessel – referred to as Big and supplied by the Hellenic Affiliation of Tugboat Homeowners – would “help, shield and help Greek-owned vessels and Greek seafarers”.
The entire crew members from the Magic Seas have been rescued by a passing ship.
The crew of the Eternity C needed to abandon the ship. Ten have been rescued by a privately led mission, however 5 extra are feared useless and the Houthis are believed to be holding one other 10 crew members, maritime safety sources have stated.
Aspides, the European Union naval mission defending delivery within the Purple Sea, didn’t have property within the space on the time of the incidents.
Big is manned by a specialist crew of 14 Greek sailors, has 4 engines with 16,000 horsepower, and might sail in probably the most opposed climate situations, the Transport Ministry stated.
It will possibly take part in search and rescue operations, with lodging for 40 folks, assist forestall marine air pollution and likewise has firefighting capability.
(Reporting by Renee Maltezou;Modifying by Helen Popper)