THE master of stricken bulker Tutor (IMO: 9942627), which was attacked by a Houthi drone boat last week, gave the first account of the incident after landing in Manila on Monday. 

Christian Domarique told reporters the drone boat that eventually struck Tutor was initially thought to be a fishing vessel with two people on board. Those people turned out to be dummies.

“The dummy was fast. It manoeuvred before chasing us. A drone attack also occurred at 1300 hrs on the other side of our ship,” Domarique said.

Domarique said the vessel filled with water within 10 minutes of the attack. He and his crew tried to recover the body of the seafarer who died in the attack, but were unsuccessful.

“It was our third time sailing together,” Domarique said. “I knew him well.”

Department of Health secretary Ted Herbosa told a press briefing the 21 seafarers were not seriously injured, but many were suffering “battle shock” and may be experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Video posted on Facebook showed the bridge of Tutor as the attack took place.

Joshua Wong Sawan said the crew sheltered below deck as they thought it would be the safest place if another missile hit the accommodation block.

Domarique and Sawan thanked the US Navy, whose vessel USS Philippine Sea came to the crew’s rescue when they decided to abandon ship.