The alleged attackers were apprehended by the CombinedMaritime Forces (CMF) Counter Piracy task force, Combined Task Force (CTF) 151.
The task force had been searching for the pirates sincethey attacked and exchanged gunfire with the VLCC Island Splendor (built 2011) lastFriday.
Three days later a Spanish fishing vessel was alsoattacked by what was suspected to be the same pirate group.
Two pirate skiffs were eventually located some 500 nauticalmiles from the Somali coast and nine men were detained while their skiffs andassociated pirate equipment were destroyed.
“This is an excellent result,” said Commodore JeremyBlunden, Royal Navy, Commander of CTF 151.
“My multinational Counter Piracy forces swiftly locatedand dealt with this Somali pirate group, sending a clear message that piracy nolonger pays.”
However, he warned the maritime community to remain vigilantof the threat and follow Best Maritime Practice in order to reduce thelikelihood of a successful pirate attack.
“It is clear that there are still pirates outthere determined to generate income from taking merchant ships hostage.”
OnThursday the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported that piracy hadfallen to its lowest level in seven years.
It said 188 incidentstook place in the first nine months of 2013, down from 233 for the same periodlast year.
