The US advises vessels in the Red Sea to turn off AIS due to Houthi threats, highlighting risks to US-flagged ships and those linked to Israel.
The United States has issued a new advisory urging US-flagged commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea and nearby waters to switch off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders due to the heightened risk from Houthi attacks, reports Denmark's Shipping Telegraph.
The US Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) warned that the Houthis continue to pose a threat to US assets, including commercial vessels. Ships with Israeli, US, or UK links, or those tied to companies making port calls in Israel, were described as being at high risk of terrorism and hostile actions.
MARAD stated that potential hostile actions include one-way drone strikes, missile attacks, small arms fire, explosive boats, and illegal boardings. US-flagged vessels are advised to disable AIS unless the masters believe doing so would compromise safety.
Ships are instructed to remain as far as possible from Yemen's coastline without endangering navigation. Crews should be vigilant when at anchor, operating in restricted maneuvering conditions, or proceeding at slow speeds.
Vessels contacted by Houthis or entities claiming to be Yemeni authorities and ordered to divert, activate AIS, or submit voyage details should ignore such instructions and continue their passage if safe. Masters should decline boarding requests, citing international law.
If vessels detect suspected drones, missiles, or hostile small boats, non-essential crew should be moved to safe spaces until the threat passes. Ships are urged to keep small boats at a safe distance whenever possible.
MARAD advised vessels to conduct pre-voyage risk assessments, update security plans, exercise caution, and monitor VHF Channel 16. In case of attack or suspicious activity, ships should activate the Ship Security Alert System and contact the US Fifth Fleet and UKMTO.
The advisory, effective until September 22, supersedes and cancels US Maritime Advisory 2025-012.
