Merchant Vessel Golden Nori Released by Pirates off the Somali coast.

A boarding team from dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) approaches merchant vessel Golden Nori after pirates released the Japanese chemical tanker on December 12, 2007 in the Gulf of Aden. The pirates seized the ship off the coast of Somalia in late October. The release of Golden Nori marks the first time in more than a year that no ships are held by Somali pirates. Whidbey Island is currently deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO). (UPI Photo/ Deanna Fisher/Navy) .