THE US Navy has shot down two anti-ship missiles and sunk three small boats after responding to distress calls from a container ship that was attacked twice by Iran-backed Houthi rebels as it crossed the Red Sea over the weekend.

The US Central Command (Centcom) said it dispatched two destroyers, the USS Gravely and the USS Laboon, after the container ship Maersk Hangzhou reported being struck by a missile on Saturday night, reports UK's The Guardian

"While responding, the USS Gravely shot down two anti-ship ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen toward the ships," Centcom said.

Ten hours later, the Singapore-flagged, Denmark-owned and operated container ship issued a second distress call, saying it was under attack from Houthi gunmen in four small boats.

"The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired small arms weapons at the Maersk Hangzhou, getting to within 20 metres of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel," Centcom said. "A contract embarked security team on the Maersk Hangzhou returned fire."

Helicopters from the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier and the USS Gravely came under fire from the small boats as they issued verbal warnings, leading them to fire back.

"The US Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defence, sinking three of the four small boats and killing the crews," the Centcom statement added. "The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to US personnel or equipment."

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organization said it received a report of an incident in the Red Sea about 55 nautical miles south-west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. The master of the ship reported "a loud bang accompanied by a flash on the port bow of the vessel" and several explosions in the area.

The Danish shipping company Maersk later said the crew of the Maersk Hangzhou were safe and there was no indication of fire onboard the vessel, which was fully manoeuvrable and continuing its journey north to Port Suez. It added that it would delay all transits through the area for 48 hours.

Centcom said the incident was the 23rd illegal attack on international shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels since November 19.

The Houthis said 10 of their naval personnel were "dead and missing" after the US attacks and that their naval forces had carried out a missile attack on the Maersk Hangzhou after its crew refused to heed warning calls.