Tanzanian ship fights off pirate attack in Gulf of Aden

Manama: The US Navy says the crew of a Tanzanian-flagged ship has successfully fought off a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden before a US warship arrived and apprehended the pirates.

The Navy's 5th Fleet, which is based in Bahrain, said Monday that the MV Barakaale 1 signalled for help from the international anti-pirate task force after pirates tried to board the vessel from a skiff.

The statement said the American destroyer USS Farragut dispatched a helicopter that gave chase to the pirate skiff, firing warning shots across its bow that brought it to a halt.

Sailors from the USS Farragut then boarded the pirate vessel and detained the eight men on board.