A fierce dispute has erupted between the Greek operator and the Philippine crewing agency involved in the Eternity C incident—the deadliest Houthi attack on a commercial vessel to date. Each side is placing blame over the vessel’s recent loss and the fatal outcomes.
According to the crewing agency, the operator failed to provide sufficient advance notice regarding the vessel’s transit through the Red Sea amid escalating threat levels. The operator, however, contends that the crew had been fully informed and properly instructed on evacuation protocols prior to the voyage.
Discussion centers on the timing and quality of pre-transit briefings. The agency asserts that critical threat information and best-practice measures were either delayed or omitted from communications. The operator maintains that its normal voyage planning included timely threat alerts and standard safety procedures.
The vessel was attacked by a combination of sea drones, missiles, RPGs, and small-boat skirmishing. The assault forced the ship’s abandonment and eventual sinking. Casualties include confirmed deaths and numerous crew members still missing—points that both parties say resulted from gaps in the threat preparation process.
As the crew agency and operator publicize conflicting accounts of who failed their responsibilities, attention is shifting toward how such risk communications will be managed in increasingly hostile maritime zones.
🌍 Broader Impact
This dispute highlights growing tensions within maritime risk management and crew protection, particularly as commercial traffic continues through high-threat areas. The dispute may influence future contractual clauses, duty-of-care standards, and risk-communication protocols.
🔍 Interesting Fact
This attack has become the deadliest single Houthi strike on a merchant vessel to date, shining a harsh light on safety frameworks for seafarers in conflict-affected waterways—triggering industry-wide calls for clearer guidelines and firm accountability.
