Hoegh-Oslo

A combination of naval forces involving NATO, the EU and Japanese military cooperated on Aug 29 to save two merchant ships from pirates. First the pirates launched an attack on the "Hoegh Oslo" but aborted their attempt after the arrival of a military aircraft. Later they closed in on the "Caribbean Carrier 1", but the Danish warship "Esbern Snare" launched its helicopter to intercept the skiff. On sighting the helicopter the suspected pirates threw their weapons overboard and made signs of surrender. The Danish helicopter was joined by another chopper from an Italian ship also under NATO command. Subsequently a US warship, USS "Kauffman" which is also operating under NATO command sent personnel to board the skiff where they found a ladder similar to those used by pirates to board ships as well as other materials including spent and unspent ammunition. The pirates were disarmed and later released.