Culture & Society MENA Spotlight We the UAE 2031

Dramatic Red Sea Rescue: UAE Saves 22 Sailors From Attack

Abdul Razak Bello July 8, 2025Last Updated: July 8, 2025

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UAE saved 22 crew members in a dramatic sea rescue after an attack in the Red Sea. The UAE’s Safeen Prism vessel from Abu Dhabi Ports Group was quick to react to a distress call from the British-flagged Magic Seas on July 7, 2025.

The Yemen attack left the ship with most important structural damage. The crew had no choice but to abandon their vessel in rough sea conditions. UAE’s rescue team brought all 22 people to safety, which included the crew and security personnel. This Red Sea attack stands out as the first one on the high seas in 2025. It disrupted six months of peace in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. The Houthi forces had earlier launched more than 100 attacks on ships in the region. This has sparked fresh worries about safety in this crucial international waterway.

UAE vessel rescues 22 sailors after distress call

Helicopter flying over a cargo ship in the Red Sea amid EU naval mission to secure waters from Houthi attacks.

_{Image Source: The Times of Israel}

“The swift action reflects the UAE’s steadfast commitment to the safety and security of international maritime navigation and its humanitarian solidarity with all nations in addressing the increasing challenges in strategic waterways.” — UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Official government body responsible for UAE foreign policy and international relations

The Safeen Prism vessel from Abu Dhabi Ports Group came to the rescue after a distress call from the Liberian-flagged vessel Magic Seas. The attack took place 51 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, where several small ships targeted the commercial vessel with different weapons.

Maritime security reports revealed that gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades marked the first attack, while the vessel’s armed security team tried to fight back. The attack damaged the ship badly, causing a fire and water intake. The crew had to abandon the damaged vessel in rough seas.

The UAE rescue operation brought all 22 people to safety, including crew members and security personnel, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The rescue showed excellent teamwork between maritime authorities and international organizations.

“The rescue operation was carried out in close co-ordination with specialized maritime authorities, including UKMTO and the relevant international organizations, in accordance with the highest standards of safety and emergency response,” stated the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA helped the rescue by connecting directly with the merchant vessel company that saved the crew. The maritime authorities worked with the Djibouti Coast Guard to ensure the crew’s smooth disembarkation after the rescue.

The quick response highlighted UAE’s dedication to maritime safety in this crucial waterway. The Ministry noted that this operation shows “the UAE’s steadfast commitment to the safety and security of international maritime navigation and its humanitarian solidarity with all nations in addressing the increasing challenges in strategic waterways”.

Maritime security experts say this event proves how up-to-the-minute communication and coordinated efforts between regional and international maritime security partners keep seafarers safe in high-risk areas.

Houthis launch first Red Sea attack in months

Diagram explaining the Houthis' attacks on Red Sea targets with key locations and impact points highlighted.

_{Image Source: International Crisis Group}

MV Magic Seas became the target of the first Houthi attack on maritime shipping in the Red Sea since mid-April 2025. This attack broke months of quiet in their campaign against commercial vessels. The Liberian-flagged bulk carrier faced gunfire and self-propelled grenades from eight small boats. The vessel’s armed security team fought back.

The Houthis stepped up their assault with multiple weapons. Their military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, announced on TV that they used “two unmanned boats, five ballistic and cruise missiles, and three drones” to strike the vessel. The ship’s armed guards destroyed two remote-controlled boats, but two others hit the port side and damaged its cargo.

Magic Seas suffered extensive damage. The crew spotted fires near the bow’s forepeak, and water flooded the engine room and at least two holds. The ship lost all power. The 19-member crew escaped unharmed despite the severity of the attack.

The Houthis took credit for the attack and said they let the crew evacuate safely before the ship ended up sinking[122]. Saree announced, “The operation directly hit the ship, leading to water ingress. It is now exposed to sinking”. He later declared the vessel “sank entirely into the depths of the sea”.

The Houthis pointed to the ship’s alleged Israeli connections to justify their attack. The Magic Seas carried iron and fertilizers from China to Turkey – a route that seemed safe. Maritime security experts found that Allseas Marine, one of the ship’s commercial managers, had visited Israeli ports in the last year. “These factors put the Magic Seas at an extreme risk of being targeted,” said Ellie Shafik, who leads intelligence at Vanguard Tech[91].

The Israeli air force retaliated by hitting Houthi targets throughout Yemen, including three Yemeni ports and a power plant. They also struck the Galaxy Leader merchant ship that the Houthis had captured in 2023.

Red Sea incident revives fears over maritime security

Large cargo ship named Tutor floating in calm waters, highlighting Red Sea maritime tensions with Houthis

_{Image Source: Newsweek}

The latest attack in the Red Sea has sparked fresh concerns about maritime security in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. This whole ordeal threatens stability in a region that makes easier movement of nearly 15% of international shipping trade. The area handles 8% of global grain trade, 12% of seaborne-traded oil, and 8% of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade.

Maritime security experts highlight how Houthi attacks have pushed major shipping companies to rethink their routes. Right now, 18 shipping companies have redirected their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope. This change adds roughly 12 days to transit times. Ships traveling between Asia and Europe now take 30-50% longer to reach their destination, which creates major logistical hurdles.

The economic effects reach far and wide:

Shipping costs have skyrocketed, with container rates between Asia and Europe jumping 130% since early November
War risk insurance premiums have climbed from 0.07% of a ship’s value in early December to 0.5% in January
Each round trip on the longer Cape route costs up to AED 3.67 million more in fuel

“The disruption occurs during a period when numerous European economies have augmented their reliance on shipborne oil and natural gas from the Middle East to reduce dependency on Russian pipelines,” explained maritime security analysts.

Egypt’s economy has taken a hard hit, especially when you have Suez Canal revenues dropping 40% compared to 2023 levels. Monthly losses now reach approximately AED 2.94 billion.

The UAE promotes stronger maritime security measures actively. UAE representatives at the UN Security Council urged member states to “uphold freedom of navigation as a key principle of international law”. They also suggested better coordination between states with bordering straits and other user states to “protect, prevent and deter attacks in shipping lanes of strategic importance”.

Maritime security experts warn that ongoing threats could affect the delicate global economic recovery. Past disruptions to maritime supply chains showed serious worldwide economic effects. International cooperation remains crucial to protect this strategically vital waterway.

The UAE’s swift maritime response saved lives in this dramatic rescue operation. Without doubt, their humanitarian intervention stopped what could have been a tragic loss of life and showed remarkable teamwork between various maritime authorities. Notwithstanding that, the attack on MV Magic Seas points to worrying signs of instability after the Red Sea remained calm for months.

Houthi attacks have started again, which raises major concerns for global shipping. These attacks have forced major shipping companies to take longer routes around the Cape of Good Hope, which can get pricey and add nearly two weeks to journey times. Container rates on Asia-Europe routes have shot up by 130% from their previous levels. On top of that, war risk insurance premiums have multiplied seven times, which puts huge financial strain on maritime commerce.

The economic impact reaches far beyond just safety issues. Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues have dropped 40% compared to previous years. European economies that rely on Middle Eastern oil and natural gas shipments now face higher costs and complex logistical hurdles.

The rescue of all 22 crew members shows what countries can achieve when they work together during maritime emergencies. A safe and secure waterway needs ongoing diplomatic work and security measures from everyone involved. Maritime nations must develop complete strategies to protect shipping lanes. Otherwise, these dangerous attacks will keep putting both human lives and global commerce at risk in this vital region.