Sources in maritime security and navigation said on Tuesday that water leaked into a commercial ship flying the flag of the Marshall Islands off the coast of Yemen after it was targeted by three missiles.

The British maritime security company Ambrey explained that the ship issued a distress message stating that it had suffered damage to the storage hold and that water was leaking into it, about 54 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni city of Hodeidah

Reuters reported, citing Greek shipping sources, that the ship bearing the name LAX was on its way to a nearby port to assess the extent of the damage. The ship is heading to the Emirates, noting that the Greek-based company operating the ship, Greyhill Ship Management, did not respond to its request to comment on the incident.

Separately, the British Maritime Trade Operations Authority said on Tuesday that it had received a report of an incident 31 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah.

The authority explained that the ship was hit by missiles and sustained damage, and a collision was reported in the water close to the ship, adding that it had received news about the safety of the crew and that the ship was heading to the next port on its route.

Bloomberg reported, citing a US Department of Defense official - who requested anonymity - that the ship "LAX" was attacked on Tuesday. The ship, which is about 750 feet long and capable of transporting about 80.