Sailors assigned to the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group on Saturday airlifted to safety the crew of a merchant vessel attacked by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea.

The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk cargo carrier M/V Tutor was struck Wednesday by an Iranian-back Houthi uncrewed surface vessel while sailing in the international waters of the Southern Red Sea, according a service news release.

“The crew abandoned ship and were rescued by USS Philippine Sea and partner forces,” Central Command said Saturday. The “Tutor remains in the Red Sea and is slowly taking on water.”

A helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 airlifted 24 civilian mariners from Tutor to Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea. From there, helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 7 transported the group to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. After being medically checked, the mariners were flown ashore for follow-on care.

“Despite these senseless attacks on innocent mariners just doing their job, the Philippine Sea crew stand ready to help preserve safety of life at sea, always,” said Capt. Steven Liberty, Philippine Sea’s commanding officer.

On Thursday, M/V Verbena reported damage and subsequent fires on board. One civilian mariner was severely injured. Aircraft from USS Philippine Sea medically evacuated the injured mariner to a partner force ship nearby for medical attention, CENTCOM said.

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime stability and security in the Middle East region.

Contributing: The Associated Press

previous coverage

• US military says it destroyed Houthi patrol boats, drone