An Ethiopian-flagged vessel fought off a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden earlier this week, the multi-national anti-piracy task force said Thursday.

The MV Andinet, part of the Ethiopian Shipping Line, was approached by
two pirate skiffs Monday, with one of them coming close enough to fire
automatic weapons in an attempt to force the ship to stop, the task
force said in a statement.

But the vessel’s crew used anti-piracy measures — including firing
flares in the air and utilizing fire hoses, as well as “evasive
maneuvering” — to repel the pirates, Combined Maritime Forces said.

After a distress call was sent out, the USS Farragut, a U.S. Navy
destroyer assigned to the task force, deployed her SH-80 helicopter to
follow the skiffs, and the USS Porter gave chase as well, the task
force said.

“A boarding team from the USS Farragut subsequently stopped and boarded
the pirate skiffs, but only an empty magazine and used rounds were
found on board.”

“The MV Andinet once against demonstrated that even basic preventive
measures can save a crew from a successful pirate attack,” said
Commodore Tim Lowe of Britain’s Royal Navy, deputy commander of the
Combined Maritime Forces.

“Although there is (a) significant international naval presence in the
Gulf of Aden, these warships cannot be everywhere and may not always be
close at hand to prevent an attack.”

The incident occurred about 145 miles east of Aden, Yemen.

The task force advocates that commercial and civilian vessels in the
region implement anti-piracy measures such as maintaining a 24-hour
lookout, traveling in convoys and using high-intensity lighting.

Source: CNN

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