The Tragic Incident Involving Bulker Eternity C
The owner of the bulker Eternity C has made the difficult decision to call off the search for the remaining missing crewmembers, as reported by maritime security advisory Diaplous Group.
On July 7, the bulker Eternity C came under attack while transiting about 50 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah. The vessel was assaulted by personnel in multiple skiffs and hit by multiple missile strikes, resulting in engine failure and flooding. Tragically, four crewmembers are believed to have lost their lives, with 10 survivors and an unconfirmed number captured by the Houthis.
Despite the distressing situation, various naval forces from European, Egyptian, Saudi, and Chinese entities are within a few days’ transit distance of the area. However, no direct government assets have joined the search efforts for the missing crewmembers. The U.S. Navy, having previously maintained a maritime security presence in the Red Sea, scaled back its operations following a ceasefire agreement with the Houthis in May.
Fortunately, a private security mission led by Diaplous and Ambrey successfully rescued the 10 confirmed survivors, comprising eight Filipino crewmembers and two guards. This mission has since returned to a safe port.
In a statement, Diaplous expressed that, “At the owner’s request, Diaplous and Ambrey have had to end their search for the remaining crew of the Eternity C. The decision was made reluctantly, but the priority now is to ensure the safe recovery of the 10 survivors and provide them with the necessary medical assistance.”
Reports suggest that the shipowner may not have had war risk insurance for this specific transit. Lloyd’s List indicates that the war risk insurer for Eternity C declined cover for a passage through the southern Red Sea. This decision could have been influenced by the owner’s fleet profile, as the Houthis have previously threatened shipowners with vessels visiting Israeli ports. Notably, the owner of Eternity C has other ships that have called in Israel, potentially heightening the risk to their assets.
As this tragic incident unfolds, the maritime community mourns the loss of life and hopes for the safe return of any missing crewmembers. The implications of this event on Red Sea navigation and global shipping routes remain to be seen, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by vessels transiting through volatile regions.