A merchant ship sailing near Yemen, saw a group of drones (UAVs) about 4–5 nautical miles away on its front-right side, flying from south to north with their lights on, according to Safety4sea.
A merchant vessel, while sailing westbound within the IRTC, 102 nm SSE of Mukalla, Yemen, reported sighting a swarm of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), at a distance of approx. 4-5 nm bow/starboard side, loitering from south to north direction, with their navigation/ position lights ON. No hostile activity reported and the vessel continue sailing to her next port of call.
Key Points:
- Date/ Time: October 21, 2025/ 03:00 UTC
- UAVs movement seemed to be synchronized, while they were clearly visible with binoculars.
- UAVs cannot be assessed as friendly.
- Weather SSW, Beaufort 4, conditions permissive for UAVs loitering.
- Closest Point of Approach (CPA) was widened in steps, final CPA about 4 nm, voyage continued, no pursuit or hostile attempt observed.
- Regional precedent, same long-range corridor: multiple 2024-2025 incidents featuring mainly missiles.
Recommendations
- Primary shipboard safety measures: Maintain heightened watch per BMP MS 2025, keep maneuvering room to preserve CPA ≥ 2.0 nm where practicable, rig barriers and optimize lighting, and be prepared to increase speed/ maneuvers if UAV appear.
- Reporting requirements and channels: Report immediately to UKMTO and MSCIO by email and VHF, include bearings, ranges, CPA history, photos, and radar/AIS screenshots. Keep continuous updates if loitering persists.
- Additional security measures and drills: Double visual and radar lookouts, conduct security musters, verify citadel readiness, restrict non-essential deck work, and brief crew on small-craft encounter procedures in line with BMP MS 2025.
- Communications and coordination guidance: Maintain continuous monitoring on distress and safety channels, coordinate with naval units if tasked in the area, and deconflict with nearby traffic while sustaining safe CPA from loitering craft.
- Any further general guidance: Treat UAV loitering as potential surveillance and target acquisition indicators. Avoid close approaches, adjust routing, maneuvering and speed profiles to reduce exposure, and log any sustained loitering patterns for correlation and follow-up.
Did you subscribe to our Daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Safety4sea
