Early this morning in international waters just beyond the coast of the African state of Seychelles, the USS Nicholas exchanged fire with and captured a team of pirates. At 12:27 a.m., the USS Nicholas, a U.S. warship, started taking fire from a small skiff. The team of pirates were attacking the ship in hopes of getting emergency money for ransom. Until further notice, the crew of the USS Nicholas is holding all five of the alleged pirates.
USS Nicholas pirate attack
The USS Nicholas was launched in April of 1983 and operates as a supply and security frigate. A U.S. Navy warship, the USS Nicholas was operating in international waters. The ship came under fire from three pirates in a small skiff just west of the island nation of Seychelles. The skiff turned around when the USS Nicholas opened fire herself. The USS Nicholas pursued the skiff, sank it, and captured the three suspected pirates. The USS Nicholas also took possession of the “mother ship” of the skiff, and two additional suspected pirates.
Seychelles pirate attack
The pirates that attacked the USS Nicholas used the standard attack methods. A larger “mother ship” will go out to sea, then send out a small skiff with armed pirates. The pirates in the skiff will attack a ship, then hold the crew ransom until they get ransom money. Typically, pirates are paid the cash and all parties go their separate ways.
International piracy on the rise
In merely the first half of 2009, piracy around the African continent doubled. Piracy has also led to a boom in insurance plans and loan lenders, though there is now so much competition the prices have started to stabilize. The UN blames extreme poverty in many African nation for the extreme rise in piracy. Hopefully soon, a resolution is set into motion to prevent any more of this ruthless act.
