The Negotiators Inside the ‘Impossible’ Deal That Averted an Environmental Disaster in Yemen
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Dec 8, 2025 David Gressly, the former UN humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, shares his gripping experience of averting an environmental catastrophe from the FSO Safer oil tanker. He discusses the daunting negotiations with Houthi leaders and the Yemeni government to secure a plan for oil transfer, emphasizing the dire regional implications of a spill. Gressly reveals how he navigated local skepticism, orchestrated funding, and managed operational hurdles while ensuring the safety of the salvage crew. His story highlights resilience amidst a humanitarian crisis and the complexities of diplomacy in conflict.
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Picked For An ‘Impossible’ Job
- David Gressly was asked late at night to lead the FSO Safer operation because the UN was the only credible actor on the ground.
- Many diplomats and parties thought the mission was destined to fail, but he accepted the task anyway.
Scale Of The Environmental Risk
- The FSO Safer held over a million barrels and risked an ecological catastrophe four times the Exxon Valdez spill.
- A spill would devastate fisheries, ports, and coral reefs across the Red Sea for a generation.
Prioritize Securing Assets First
- Secure the asset first rather than negotiating sale terms when time is limited.
- Bring in an alternate vessel to offload oil and create space for later political talks.