Maersk Alabama fends off 2nd pirate attack

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Pirates off the Somali coast tried Wednesday to hijack the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama for a second time, but were rebuffed, U.S. Navy officials said.

Four pirates in a skiff came within 300 yards of the Danish-owned Maersk Alabama about 560 nautical miles off the northeastern coast of Somalia, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command officials said in a release.

Somali pirates briefly seized the Maersk Alabama April 8 and held the ship's skipper, Capt. Richard Phillips, hostage for five days. U.S. naval forces rescued Phillips April 12, killing three suspected pirates and taking one into custody.

In the latest hijacking attempt, the ship's security team used evasive maneuvers, high-pitched acoustic devices and small-arms fire to force the pirates to break off their attack, military officials said. No injuries or damage were reported aboard the ship, bound for Mombasa, Kenya.

"Due to Maersk Alabama following maritime industry's best (anti-piracy) practices such as embarking security teams, the ship was able to prevent being successfully attacked by pirates," said Navy Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. "This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked, and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they're in high-risk areas."