According to statements from the TV channel and later illustrated by additional sources, members of the US maritime security apparatus detained several individuals believed to be pirates after an attempted attack on the Central Park tanker off Yemen’s coast. The incident has been framed by Fox News and others as part of a broader pattern of piracy in the region, with officials noting that crews often take defensive precautions when approached by hostile armed groups at sea. The detained individuals are described as suspects in the hijacking attempt, and their capture appears to have been facilitated by a coordinated response from multiple US and allied vessels operating in the area. The events are being reviewed by U.S. military anti-piracy authorities, with statements indicating the detainees are being questioned to determine their intentions and affiliations and to corroborate their involvement in the attack.
Accounts from various sources say five armed men regarded as pirates attempted to seize the ship but found the crew barricaded in a secure room. When the assailants could not force an entry through the door, they retreated briefly toward the Yemeni coast, attempting to withdraw by boat rather than pressing further into the tanker’s defenses. This sequence highlights the standard defense by crews under threat who seek refuge in safeguarded compartments while awaiting intervention from on-scene security forces. In such scenarios, the quick coordination between ship security protocols and naval assets becomes crucial to preventing harm to crew members and maintaining the integrity of the vessel and cargo.
U.S. Navy personnel reported giving warning shots as a safety measure while pursuing the suspects aboard the waters near the vessel. The intervention involved a US warship in pursuit, with a nearby Japanese destroyer providing assistance to the aircraft carrier USS Mason in performing safe-guarding operations and ensuring a controlled, lawful response to the threat. The joint actions undertaken by American and allied ships underscore the collaborative approach used in modern anti-piracy missions, where professional navigation, situational awareness, and strict engagement rules are critical to minimizing risk to life at sea. The subjects were taken into custody and transported to on-board authorities for formal questioning by the U.S. military anti-piracy office, where investigators would verify identities, affiliations, and the broader motive behind the attempted hijacking.
In a separate line of commentary, a representative for Zodiac Maritime conveyed to Fox News that the crew, tanker, and cargo suffered no injuries or damage during the attack. This reassurance aligns with operational reports from the vessel operators, who emphasize that the crew maintained control and followed security protocols to deter any successful takeover. Such statements are often issued to reassure markets and maritime partners while investigations continue and security assessments are updated in real time for ships navigating high-risk corridors.
The previous day, reports surfaced about an Israeli-linked oil tanker being hijacked off Yemen’s coast, with the operator expressing concerns that pirates may have attacked the vessel. It was noted that the crew included citizens from Russia, Vietnam, Bulgaria, India, Georgia, and the Philippines, and that the tanker was carrying phosphoric acid. This incident, described in subsequent dispatches, illustrates the range of tactics used by pirate groups in the region and highlights the vulnerability of mixed-crew ships transporting hazardous materials. Maritime authorities and inspecting agencies would scrutinize routes, crew rotation patterns, and cargo types to assess any additional risk and to inform safer passage through known danger zones.
Earlier in the timeline, reports indicated that Houthi rebels in Yemen had seized the Galaxy Leader, and there were escalating threats against civilian ships flying the Israeli flag that came within gun range. The rhetoric and actions surrounding these events have influenced international maritime security advisories, prompting operators to strengthen watch systems and develop contingency plans for incidents that could disrupt commercial traffic, particularly in busy sea lanes that connect global markets. Analysts suggest that such episodes may prompt calls for heightened patrols and enhanced coordination among regional navies to deter future attempts and reassure shipping companies and crews alike.
In another development, there were prior indications of a Turkish-flagged vessel being stopped and hijacked incidentally in the broader area, with Italian authorities involved in the response. This sequence of events has contributed to a broader pattern of piracy concerns in the western Indian Ocean and adjacent waterways, reinforcing the need for robust anti-piracy protocols, continuous vessel tracking, and rapid communication channels between shipmasters, operators, and naval command centers. As investigations continue, navies and maritime security services emphasize the importance of rapid alerting, the use of safe rooms, and the protection of crew welfare as central pillars of effective response strategies in high-risk waters. Citations: U.S. Navy press briefings and operator statements attributed in contemporary coverage.