An Australian navy ship captured Somali pirates who fired on a supertanker near the Horn of Africa before a navy helicopter blew up their skiffs.
HMAS Melbourne, which destroyed the pirates’ boats, was patrolling as part of a multinational anti-piracy task force, according to Business Insider Australia.
Nine men were arrested after a Seahawk helicopter traced the skiffs and guided the Royal Australian Navy warship to them 500 nautical miles off the Somali coast, according to a statement from the Combined Maritime Forces.
Once the pirates — who are also believed to have recently fired upon a Spanish fishing vessel — were off the skiffs, an Australian navy helicopter blew them up.
Two skiffs were destroyed, along with “associated pirate equipment.”
The Combined Maritime Forces are a cooperative effort among 29 countries that patrol international water, guarding against piracy.
