US navy captures Somali pirates’ mother ship
April 2, 2010 04:57 pm
A gang of Somali pirates has been captured and had its boat
sunk after launching an over-ambitious midnight attack on a US navy frigate
last night. The USS Nicholas came under fire while patrolling the Indian Ocean,
west of the
The ship, part of the US Africa Command’s anti-piracy force, returned fire and then pursued the skiff, which was carrying fuel and ammunition.
Three pirates were arrested before the boat was sunk, a US navy statement said. The gang’s “mother ship” – the launchpad for attacks far out to sea – was confiscated and two more pirates arrested.
It is not the first time Somali gangs have made such an error. Last year pirates twice tried to hijack French warships, losing their boats and their liberty each time.
Following last night’s failed attack, the
“Vessel operators should anticipate an increase in piracy attacks from March through May … when calmer weather favourable for small boat activity will prevail,” the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration said.
The presence of dozens of foreign warships off the coast of
To avoid capture Somali gangs have been targeting new areas, sometimes more than 1,000 miles offshore.
Last week pirates hijacked a Turkish cargo ship sailing
closer to
Although they do not fetch high ransoms, the dhows are easy
to board and can be used as mother ships. At least 100 sailors and seven dhows
are missing, the Indian government said. – (The Guardian,