A recent video circulating on social media shows a team of private maritime security contractors aboard a merchant vessel successfully detonating a Houthi-operated suicide boat just yards from the ship.

According to the shipping industry website "Maritime Executive," the footage shows three security personnel on the starboard bridge wing of the vessel, which appears to be a container ship based on background images. As the unmanned boat approaches, the security team engages the target with semi-automatic rifles, firing approximately 18 rounds before detonating the vessel.

The crew and security team are heard communicating in Ukrainian, suggesting a shared nationality. "Maritime Executive" speculates that the weapons used are likely FN FAL or L1A1 semi-automatic rifles, common combat rifles known for their powerful ammunition.

This incident stands in stark contrast to the deadly attack on the cargo ship "Totor," which has been widely discussed in maritime security circles. In that incident, the ship's private security team, also stationed on the bridge wing, witnessed the approach of a suicide boat but failed to engage. Instead, they fled to the ship's command center with the crew, recognizing the imminent danger. The boat exploded near the engine room, killing one crew member and sinking the ship. Further Houthi attacks, including a second suicide boat and a boarding attempt with a potential explosive device, ultimately led to the vessel's complete sinking.

"Maritime Executive" questions the wisdom of deploying traditional anti-piracy and anti-aircraft/drone security personnel without significant upgrades to their equipment, training, and tactics, especially as the Houthis begin employing larger numbers of drones simultaneously to overwhelm basic small-arms operations.

The website asks, "Have they even been equipped with the proper tools to thwart a single drone or suicide boat attack, let alone a swarm of twenty suicide drones? What about a synchronized swarm of twelve suicide boats and dozens of air-dropped explosive devices?"

The successful detonation of the Houthi suicide boat highlights the growing threat posed by these attacks and raises serious questions about the preparedness of maritime security forces to effectively counter them.