I'd never heard this story before or at least don't remember it. You'd think being born during the 6 day war I'd know my history about it better:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_Fleet
Between 1967 and 1975, fifteen ships, from eight countries, were trapped in the Suez Canal after the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt. The ships became known as the Yellow Fleet because of their appearance from desert sand blown onboard.
During the war, Egypt blocked both ends of the canal to prevent its use by Israel. Scuttled ships, sea mines, and other debris continued to block transport through the canal until the wake of the Yom Kippur War, after which the blockade was lifted. A 1974 clearance operation enabled the ships to leave, after eight years of being stranded.