On Sunday, the U.S. Arleigh Burke–class destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) responded to a distress call from the Israeli-linked tanker Central Park off the coast of Yemen. The Houthi gunmen successfully boarded the tanker, but the crew secured themselves in the citadel, which is a designated secure space for crew members to wait out pirates while continuing to control vital ship systems. The attackers were forced to retreat to Yemen with the Mason in pursuit. U.S. Navy personnel, aided by a Japanese destroyer, arrested the gunmen after warning shots and close helo support.
Managed by Zodiac Maritime, the vessel, carrying phosphoric acid — a component in everything from soft drinks to fertilizers — reported the attack while transiting the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) between Yemen and Somalia. This passage is frequently patrolled by international navies.
The @USNavy destroyer USS Mason responded to a distress call from the chemical tanker Central Park that had been seized in the Gulf of Aden by what were almost certainly Houthi forces who appear to have abandoned the attack with ship & crew now safe. https://t.co/PE6FVQmtFT pic.twitter.com/ZMaKNstIb9
— Dr Phil Weir (@navalhistorian) November 27, 2023
The pirates are now being interrogated by the U.S. Navy “under counter piracy authorities,” Jennifer Griffin reports for Fox News. While the Japanese destroyer lent aid to the anti-piracy effort, two Chinese destroyers in the vicinity did not offer to help.
NEW Senior U.S. official:
US Navy personnel from the USS Mason responded to a distress call from the crew onboard an Israeli linked tanker. 5 armed gunmen tried to hijack the ship in Gulf of Aden. US Navy pursued toward Yemen. Warning shots fired. Gunmen now being interrogated.— Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) November 26, 2023
“Zodiac Maritime’s team in London, UK have been working closely with international naval coalition partners in the region today. We would like to thank the coalition forces who responded quickly, protecting assets in the area and upholding international maritime law,” a company spokesman said.
Zodiac Maritime assured the safety of the vessel, crew, and cargo, thanking international naval coalition partners. This incident follows previous attacks on Israeli-linked vessels, including the 2021 drone attack on Zodiac’s Mercer Street, attributed to Iran.