Landing the Big One

Landing the Big One

Tuesday, March 08, 2011

"Pirates Again Target Maersk Alabama" - Armed Guard Shots ScareThem Away

Oh, I doubt they knew which ship they were going after, but Pirates Again Target Maersk Alabama:
The Maersk Alabama was targeted again by suspected Somali pirates today, a U.S. official told ABC News.
Maersk Alabama


This is at least the third time pirates have targeted the Alabama, including the famous attack involving Capt. Richard Philips in the spring of 2009.

The official said that four suspected pirates approached the ship in a skiff, and a hook ladder could be seen in the boat. When the skiff came within half a nautical mile, the ship's captain authorized warning shots to be fired.

The pirates continued to approach, and the captain ordered aimed shots, which convinced the skiff to turn around and sail away.

Those shots likely were fired by contracted security on board, something that was added to the Alabama after the 2009 attack.
ABC News suggests that this NATO Update specifies the area of the attack:
March 8, 2011
Latitude: 07 33 S Longitude: 048 48 E
Alert number 115/2011
At 1345 UTC / 08 MAR 11 / a Pirate Attack Group consisting of 1 white skiff with 4 POB with hooks and ladder was reported in position 07 33 S 048 48 E.
The Pirate Attack Group is still in the area

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