After being adrift for weeks, the ship sank on 2 March as a result of the strike, becoming the first vessel lost due to a Houthi attack during the crisis.

The wreck poses a risk to navigation of the Red Sea, and also has the potential to cause environmental damage due to the leakage of its oil and fertilizer.

[8] The United States Central Command announced that on 18 February, Houthi forces launched two anti-ship missiles at the ship, one of which struck it and caused severe damage.

While the United States Navy offered to help tow Rubymar,[11] the nearest port of Djibouti refused to accept the ship because of the risk of explosion from its cargo of fertilizer.

The Yemeni government's environmental protection authority warned that the dual threats of the ship's fuel and its fertilizer cargo could impact up to half a million people who depend on fishing in the Red Sea to make a living.

[21] The United States Embassy to Yemen echoed the environmental concerns, as well as pointing out the vessel's "risk to safe navigation" for other ships moving through the area.

[23] In July, the IMO made a request for contributions of equipment to respond to the ongoing oil spill, asking for a remote operated vehicle and additional supplies.