US navy nabs pirate suspects near Seychelles

[Chris]

WASHINGTON (AFP) – A US warship operating in the Indian Ocean captured five suspected pirates Thursday after an exchange of gunfire in international waters near the Seychelles, the Pentagon said.

The frigate USS Nicholas took the piracy suspects into custody after the warship sank a skiff, and confiscated a suspected mother ship, said a statement from US Naval Forces.

"While operating west of the Seychelles in international waters, Nicholas reported taking fire at 12:27 am local time from a suspected pirate skiff and returned fire before commencing pursuit of the vessel until the disabled skiff stopped," the statement said.

"At 1:59 am personnel from Nicholas boarded the disabled skiff and detained three personnel. The boarding team found ammunition and multiple cans of fuel on board."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100401/pl_afp/uspiracyshippingseychelles

[DefiantSix]

Does the US Navy do prize awards?  Even at scrap rates, that mother ship should provide a pretty penny for the crew of the Nicholas.

edit: Never mind.  The practice was discontinued in the US Navy in 1941.

The crewmen of USS Omaha hold the distinction of being the last American sailors to receive prize money, for taking a German blockade runner on November 6, 1941, just before America's entry into World War II, though the money would not be awarded until 1947. LINK

[The Village Idiot]

Interesting!!

[littlelamb]

Good for them on a great job