NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Norfolk naval ships responded to a distress call made by the MAERSK HANGZHOU container ship which reported it was struck by a missile in the Red Sea, according to a U.S. Central Command social media post.

This incident was reported on the night of Dec. 30, local time.

Norfolk-based USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Laboon (DDG 58) responded to the ship. While responding, USS Gravely shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

Less than 24 hours after the initial distress call, the MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call as it was under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats, on Dec. 31 around 6:30 a.m., Sana’a (Yemen) time.

The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel. A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire.

U.S. helicopters from USS Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms.

The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire, and sank three of the four small boats, killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.