The Coast Guard has been called in to assist following the apparent hijacking of a Panamanian freighter.Two Coast Guard boats and a helicopter have responded to reports that the 250-foot freighter was taken over by 17 or more men, some of whom were reportedly armed. There was no word has to what kind of weapons those on board are using.
The freighter Margot was about 8 miles east of Government Cut when the Coast Guard was made aware of the possibility of a hijacking.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is sending their sea-version of a SWAT team to assist the Coast Guard.
There is no official word yet from the Coast Guard regarding the situation.
Early reports are that the hijackers are Haitian migrants.
Just after 5 p.m., there were reports based on radio traffic that the captain was saying the migrants on board had laid down their arms on the crew had regained control of the freighter.
Watch Local 10 for more on this developing story.