Magic-Seas

the Filipino seafarer Cocoy, 38, has recounted the Houthi attack on the 'Magic Seas': He was off-duty and resting in his cabin when the captain’s voice boomed over the intercom of the cargo ship: “We are under attack”. He realized what sounded like a “knock” from inside the vessel was gunfire being exchanged by ship security and Houthi rebels swarming the ship in small boats. The crew members scrambled to reach the muster station at the center of the ship, considered the safest place should a projectile strike the vessel. There were speedboats from the right, left and stern of the ship. There was also a bigger boat with around 15 people on board who were attempting to board the bulk carrier, but could be fought back by the armed guards. The group huddled inside the muster station for nearly five hours as the ship’s three armed Sri Lankan security guards tried to stave off the attack. A H0uthi spokesman later claimed that five ballistic and cruise missiles and three drones had been employed in the attack. The flooding had started so it was decided to abandon the ship. The lifeboat was depöpyed, and all 22 crew members went from board. Cocoy and his shipmates spent three hours floating in the Red Sea before being picked up by a Panama-flagged container ship. The 'Magic Seas' was no longer within their sight when it sank.

The rest of the Filipino crew members of the 'Magic Seas' returned to the Philippines on the evening of July 12. The final batch of 11 repatriates landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, completing the homecoming of all 17 Filipino sailors who were aboard the ship. After the attack five days ago, the crew managed to abandon the vessel before being rescued by the passing container m/v 'Safeen Prism'. They received comprehensive assistance from the government, includubg PHP75,000 in financial aid from the DMW’s AKSYON Fund and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) Emergency Repatriation Fund. They were provided with health checks and training vouchers from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) upon arrival. They will also receive immediate reintegration services, medical check-ups and psychosocial counseling. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was also expected to extend an additional P10,000 in cash support. So far, eight Filipino seafarers from the 'Eternity C' have been rescued. However, their return to the Philippines was still being arranged. They needed to be transported to a secure port. The Philippine government continued to monitor the situation and remains in close coordination with international partners to ensure the safety and swift return of affected Filipino nationals. Satellite photos meanwhile showed long, trailing oil slicks from where the 'Magic Seas' and the 'Eternity C' sank, Report with photo: https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/13/mv-magic-seas-crew-back-in-ph-after-houthi-attack-on-ship-1416

News regarding the Magic Seas are to be found in the piracy category.