Israeli-linked maritime firm says crew, ship safe after attack near Yemen

Zodiac Maritime says the Central Park vessel carrying phosphoric acid and its crew of 22 sailors from Bulgaria, Georgia, India, the Philippines, Russia, Turkey and Vietnam were “unharmed,” after the ship was attacked off the coast of Yemen Sunday.

“We would like to thank the coalition forces who responded quickly, protecting assets in the area and upholding international maritime law,” the company, part of Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer’s Zodiac Group, says early Monday. It offers no details on how the attackers left the vessel, nor identified them.

The Pentagon tells The Associated Press that the vessel is “currently safe” without elaborating on what happened to the attackers.

American forces aboard the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Mason responded to the distress call from the Central Park, two US defense officials say on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the incident.