EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA confirms the successful coordination and facilitation of the rescue of the MV MAGIC SEAS crew following an attack in the Southern Red Sea.
The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) received a report of an incident 51NM southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. The MV MAGIC SEAS was attacked by multiple small ships using different types of weaponry. Due to the damage suffered, which caused a fire on board, the crew abandoned the merchant vessel.
EUNAVAFOR ATALANTA played a key role in enabling the safe recovery of all 22 personnel from the abandoned MV MAGIC SEAS by establishing direct communication with the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) of the company operating a passing merchant vessel that has rescued the crew.
Following the rescue, ATALANTA liaised with the Djibouti Coast Guard to ensure the smooth coordination of the crew's disembarkation.
This outcome was made possible through close cooperation between ATALANTA, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC). The incident highlights the importance of real-time communication and coordinated efforts among regional and international maritime security stakeholders to ensure the safety of seafarers in high-risk areas.
Operation ATALANTA strongly recommends merchant and other vulnerable vessels to register in the MSCIO's Voluntary Registration Scheme (VRS), to provide the most effective monitoring and response by ATALANTA forces and their partners in countering maritime security threats.
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA remains fully committed to providing maritime security and ensuring the protection of vulnerable vessels in the region. Further assessment and recommendations are provided through the appropriate channels with the shipping operators and updated on the Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) website (www.mscio.eu).