Pirates in the Gulf

USS Carney (DDG 64), part of NATO's counter-piracy task force Operation Ocean Shield, worked with other NATO forces and coalition partners to disrupt pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden on 5 December 2011. A Japanese maritime patrol aircraft patrolling the area on counter-piracy operations spotted a suspicious skiff with seven suspected pirates aboard and contacted the NATO flagship ITS Andrea Doria, who, in turn, tasked the Carney to investigate. In a coordinated operation, the Carney approached the skiff, while the patrol aircraft circled overhead. As the warship appeared on the horizon, the skiff attempted to flee, however it stopped when hailed. The patrol aircraft and the Carney observed the suspected pirates throwing items overboard. The items were visually confirmed by the patrol aircraft as ladders and other pirate-related equipment. A team from the Carney boarded the skiff and after, a thorough search, seized the excess fuel and other items useful to piracy activity before ensuring the skiff had enough fuel to return to the Somali coast. In 2009, 45 ships were hijacked in the region; so far in 2011, 21 ships have been hijacked, effectively halving the number of ships taken. Naval warships have been in the region constantly providing a visible presence and deterrence and this has undoubtedly contributed to the pirates' lack of success. The Carney is currently assigned to NATO, conducting counter-piracy operations in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations.