Indian Ocean (NAVEUR-NAVAF-C6F) — USS Nicholas (FFG 47) captured suspected pirates on Thursday after exchanging fire, sinking a skiff, and confiscating a suspected mother ship.
While operating west of the Seychelles in international waters, Nicholas reported taking fire at 12:27 a.m. local time from a suspected pirate skiff and returned fire before commencing pursuit of the vessel until the disabled skiff stopped.
At 1:59 a.m. personnel from Nicholas boarded the disabled skiff and detained three personnel. The boarding team found ammunition and multiple cans of fuel on board.
After taking the suspected pirates on board, Nicholas sank the disabled skiff at 2:59 a.m.
An additional two suspected pirates were captured on the confiscated mother ship.
The suspected pirates will remain in U.S. custody on board Nicholas until a determination is made regarding their disposition.
Piracy is an international maritime issue that consistently affects the safety and security of the sea. The U.S. Navy works to uphold maritime law in order to prevent an environment conducive to piracy.
Nicholas, an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate homeported in Norfolk, Va.,
earlier
USS Nicholas (FFG-47), an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, captured five pirates by shooting at them, sinking their skiff and capturing their mother ship off the coast of Kenya and Somalia.
The pirates are now being held captive aboard the U.S. warship.
Pirates also attacked a Taiwanese fishing boat early Thursday, according to Taiwanese media.
The long-line fishing skiff was sailing about 400 miles southeast of Somalia's Cape Guardafui when it was attacked by pirates who disguised their boat as a Taiwanese vessel.
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