Oman Navy Foils Pirate Attack

AS Reported HERE

Oman navy foils pirates’ attempt to hijack vessel

4 September 2011

MUSCAT — Oman’s navy has thwarted an attempt by Somali brigands to hijack a Liberian-flagged vessel off the Salalah coast. Ten pirates were arrested.

The incident happened on Thursday night some 34 nautical miles south west of the Salalah Port and outside Omani territorial waters, a spokesman for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) said.

A RNO vessel rushed to the site after being informed about the hijack attempt on merchant ship ‘Nedlloyd Africa’ and, helped by aircraft from the Royal Air Force of Oman (Rafo), rescued the ship.  During the operation, a dhow hijacked earlier by pirates was also freed. No one was hurt, the RNO spokesman said, adding that all the 10 pirates, who threw their weapons in the sea, were arrested.  The 11 crew members of the dhow, all Asians, were released. 

The arrested pirates were handed over to the Royal Oman Police (ROP) for procedures before their trial.

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