9 disarmed pirates
(BRUSSELS2) The destroyer launches missiles USS Pinckney (DDG 91), which participates in CTF 151, thwarted the action of a group of pirates last Monday (December 19) near the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC), to the south. Around 8:40 a.m., this group attacked the MV nordic apollo pulling the merchant ship from a skiff. The ship managed to escape using all good escape practices. The alert was given to ships of the international force patrolling the area. Shortly after, around 11:00 a.m., another ship, the MV Heather, which was 30 miles from the Nordic Apollo, reported the same type of attack.
The Pinckney then launched its MH60R helicopter which located a skiff with nine suspects and piracy equipment on board (including ladders, weapons and several fuel containers). He could even observe that the suspects hastened at the sight of the helicopter to hide weapons under blankets and to swing the ladders into the water. So there was little doubt about the pirates' intentions. Intercepted by the helicopter, the skiff stopped short. But the pirates threw their weapons into the water: 5 AK47s, 1 RPG and three ammunition magazines thus ended up in the sea. fuel, as well as 36 very powerful engines, 2 and 75 horsepower. The pirates were however freed, but with only one engine and just the diesel necessary to reach the coast.
