The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported two maritime incidents involving merchant vessels on Sunday. The first occurred in the Red Sea, where a suicide drone struck a vessel. The second incident took place in the Gulf of Aden.
A new update from UKMTO said a merchant ship 96 nautical miles southeast of Nishtun, Yemen, “reported severe flooding that cannot be contained, forcing the master and crew to abandon the ship.”
UKMTO said the crew had been rescued by an “assisting ship,” and the abandoned ship “remains adrift at position 14°31’N 053°08’E.”
“Relevant authorities have been informed, confirming this as a SOLAS incident,” UKMTO noted.
The term “SOLAS incident” typically refers to an event or situation that falls under the regulations and guidelines set forth by the SOLAS, which stands for the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.
SOLAS is a maritime treaty established by the International Maritime Organization. Its main purpose is to specify minimum safety standards for the construction, equipment, and operation of ships to ensure the safety of the crew and passengers.
