The website of the British shipping company issued a warning that an international oil tanker was attacked by Yemeni ballistic missiles in the southern region of the Red Sea. The ruling Ansar Allah Movement (Houthis) in northern Yemen attacked an oil tanker suspected to be heading to China after a stop in a Russian port, according to U.S. Central Command. The Panamanian-flagged tanker "Wind" is now operated by a Greek shipping company, according to registration information. On Saturday (17th) evening, it was hit by a ballistic missile in Yemeni waters south of the Red Sea.
According to the US Central Command, the missile strike caused water into the cabin of the tanker "Wind" and caused the power and power systems to go out of control. This happens at night and is undoubtedly more dangerous. Judging by the detailed reports released by the US military, they were well aware of the entire incident, but they failed to provide the necessary air defense protection for the Greek company "Wind". In the southern waters of the Red Sea, there has always been a surface fleet of the United States and Western allies "maintaining the safety of shipping in the Red Sea."
However, the joint escort fleet led by the United States and Britain has not only failed to play its due role, but has also been constantly attacked and harassed by Houthi missiles and drones. Last week, the US Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Mason was hit by a ballistic missile, and the damage was said to be relatively serious. Therefore, the so-called combined fleet, which can protect the safety of its own ships at all times, will burn incense, and the Western civilian cargo ships and oil tankers that they have sworn to protect can only ask for more blessings for themselves. What's more, the tanker "Wind" is still loaded with Russian crude oil exports.
However, the oil tanker "Wind", which was attacked by missiles during the night voyage in the Red Sea, was not as vulnerable as the US and British oil tankers. Just like the "Whampoa" a few months ago, not only did it not ask the US Navy for help, but it also allowed the US ship to witness a miracle again. After the "Whampoa" was attacked by missiles last time, it immediately carried out rapid and efficient self-rescue repair, and then continued its voyage to its destination. Interestingly, it seems that oil tankers that are close to China have this extraordinary ability. This time, the oil tanker "Wind" was also under the watchful eye of the US Navy, calmly rescued itself from the predicament.
The statement from the U.S. Central Command said that "no crew members were injured [of the tanker Wind, which was hit by a Yemeni missile]." Eventually, the ship's crew managed to regain control of the tanker and continue sailing. "There is no doubt that dealing with water ingress, power and power runaway in the cabin at the same time requires a fairly complex and efficient damage repair capability. The question is what the Whampoa and Wind were able to do, and why did the British tanker sink.