Norfolk destroyer Bainbridge marks another pirate victory

The Norfolk-based destroyer Bainbridge, which made headlines for its rescue of American Capt. Richard Phillips from pirates in 2009, has captured another group of pirates and freed 15 hostages off Somalia, the Navy announced today.

While patrolling off the coast, the ship's late-night watch team saw a suspicious dhow heading out to sea and set course to follow it, the Navy said. At first light Tuesday, a Navy boarding team approached the dhow while an SH-60B helicopter  from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 48 provided cover from the air. 

The pirates surrendered when they saw the sailors approaching. The ship they were aboard turned out to be a fishing vessel.  The dhow's Pakistani master said it had been seized and used as a mother ship for more than six months, conducting at least three different attacks while being controlled by different pirate groups.

The boarding team found 15 Pakistani crewmembers and seven alleged Somali pirates on board, as well as seven fully loaded AK-47s, two rocket propelled grenades, seven projectiles, several ammunition canisters, ladders and grappling hooks. The boarding team disposed of the weapons and equipment and brought the seven Somalis aboard. They are to be returned to Somalia.

The Pakistani crew members received medical checks and were given diesel fuel to allow them to return home.