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 about 12:27 a.m. local time, a small skiff approached the USS Nicholas warship and started shooting. The alleged pirates attacked the warship hoping to receiving emergency money. The crew of the USS Nicholas is currently holding all five suspected pirates.
Pirate attack on the USS Nicholas
The USS Nicholas, which functions as a supply and security frigate, was launched in April of 1983. A U.S. Navy warship, the USS Nicholas was active in international waters. West of the island nation of Seychelles, the ship started taking fire from three pirates in a small skiff. The skiff turned about when the USS Nicholas opened fire herself. After pursuing the skiff, the Navy officers arrested the three men and sank their skiff. The USS Nicholas also captured the “mother ship” of the skiff, and two additional suspected pirates.
Seychelles pirates attacked
The pirate attack on the USS Nicholas followed what has become the typical pirate plan of attack. A “mother ship” will put out to sea, then send a skiff out with a few heavily armed men. The pirates in the skiff will attack a ship, then hold the crew ransom until they get ransom money. Usually, pirates are paid the money and all parties go their separate ways.
Piracy has been on the rise
In the first half of 2009, the number of pirate attacks around the globe doubled, especially around the African continent. 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 severe poverty in many African nation for the extreme rise in piracy. A resolution in motion is what's needed to prevent any more of this ruthless act.
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