Maritime security sources said this was a sign of growing desperation to avoid attack by Houthi commandos or deadly drones - but they also thought it was unlikely to make any difference.

Six crew members have been rescued and at least three others killed after a cargo ship was attacked by Yemen's Houthis and sank in the Red Sea, a European naval mission says.

Rescuers launched a search Wednesday for survivors of a Liberian-flagged cargo ship that came under attack from Yemen's Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, authorities said.