Unconfirmed footage has emerged on X showing what appears to be the commodity-hauling bulk carrier “Tutor” under attack by a drone boat, allegedly controlled remotely by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. If verified, this incident is the first known drone boat attack on a commercial vessel in the Red Sea since rebels began their attacks on the critical maritime chokepoint in late 2023. 

“Footage shows what appears to be the first successful Houthi kamikaze USV strike on Greek-owned cargo ship Tutor while transiting the Red Sea on June 12,” X user Clash Report wrote in the post. 

Clash Report said, “The ship’s guard were totally confused as to what they were observing” and “couldn’t even react before it hit the ship.” 

The first image shows the bulk carrier’s armed guards were extremely confused by the small craft packed with explosives and possible mannequins.

Everyone is confused. 

The video shows the crew and armed guards running inside moments before the small craft hit the stern of the bulk carrier.

Photos of Houthi kamikaze USV right before it struck Greek-owned cargo ship Tutor.

The ship’s guard were totally confused as to what they were observing.

They couldn’t even react before it hit the ship. https://t.co/ZwFlWnsFAR pic.twitter.com/8ORRrvZWH6

— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 17, 2024

An aerial video shows the Tutor has taken on water in the stern area. Prior reports say the engine room has been flooded.

On Saturday, we reported that 21 of the 22 Filipino seafarers aboard the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned, and operated bulk carrier were rescued by the US military. Reports say one crew member died in the blast.

What good were the armed guards if they didn’t use surveillance drones to inspect the incoming vessel? Moreover, the video shows that not a single shot was fired from their 7.62x39mm rifles.

More broadly, the attacks across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden have already cost the US military (taxpayers) about $1 billion in munitions to counter anti-ship ballistic and cruise missiles and suicide drones, according to Axios. 

A weak Biden administration has only emboldened Houthis to continue firing missiles and drones, and now suicide drone boats, at Western-linked commercial ships and or military vessels. As we’ve explained before, the turmoil on the shipping lane is causing a supply shock.

Commodity traders have told us they expect a tick-up in attacks on the Red Sea. Last week was the first instance the Houthis used a drone boat. Also, focus on the Mediterranean area for expanded threat coverage by Houthis.