Last week, two US-flagged ships manned by US Merchant Mariners were targeted by Houthis and forced to turn around. This is a cause for concern due to the US Navy’s legal obligation to protect US Merchant Marine ships. However, what is more concerning is the secrecy surrounding the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian in the Red Sea.

At the start of the operation shipping executives and sailors aboard American merchant ships freely talked about their security concerns with journalists from gCaptain and other trade publications. No classified information was shared and caveats did exist, with most speaking off the record and certain information being asked not to print, but overall information flowed freely.

That changed earlier this month when gCaptain was informed that pressure was being applied by Department of Defense officials to refrain from speaking to the press. One senior executive informed gCaptain that security clearances were under review and he was cautioned that any unauthorized disclosures could jeopardize those clearances.

According to reports, at least one ship owner has allegedly threatened to blacklist American sailors who quit and speak about the dangers they encountered in the Red Sea.