Yemeni authorities are seeking help in averting an environmental disaster as seawater seeps into an ageing floating storage and offloading unit (FSO).

The laid-up 407,000-dwt Safer (built 1976) has been described as a "floating bomb" by environmentalists.

Built in Japan and owned by Yemen's Safer E&P Operation Co, it is anchored off Houthi rebel-controlled Ras Isa with 1.2m