A steady stream of video content from the Houthi rebels’ seized car carrier Galaxy Leader has been popping up on social media, and it appears to show that the rebels are welcoming guests and having a good time - though whether the crew feels the same way is another matter, as they and their ship are being held hostage.
Groups of Houthi youths and social media users have been visiting Galaxy Leader as a photo-shoot opportunity. One group recently filmed themselves dancing on the top deck.
In one remarkable video, a group of new guests attempted to climb the pilot ladder en masse, with at least six people ascending and descending at once (without lifejackets).
Galaxy Leader was forcibly hijacked by a helicopter-borne Houthi assault team on November 19. The ship is operated by Isle of Man-based Ray Car Carriers, a firm with ownership ties to an Israeli shipping magnate.
17 members of the Galaxy Leader's crew are Filipino, and the remaining eight are Bulgarian, Romanian, Ukrainian and Mexican citizens. There are no Israeli nationals aboard, according to the Israeli government.