Navy offers help when pirate boats intercept cargo ship off Aden

ADEN, June 17 (Saba) - Yemen's navy has rescued a cargo ship sailing
under the flag of Sierra Leone when it sent a distress call off the
Aden port.

The ship was 15 nautical miles when four pirate boats intercepted it
trying to take over it.

Hearing the distress signal, Yemeni marine troops rushed to offer
help and then the pirates escaped.

13 crew members were onboard the ship which was carrying a diversity
of goods.

Three days ago, Somali pirates failed to hijack a Yemeni oil tanker
off the Makha port in Taiz when the tanker sent a distress signal.

In recent years, piracy has soared off Somalia threatening one of
the world's busiest waterways where about 20.000 vessels pass a year.

More than 130 ships have been hijacked by Somali pirates in the
recent few years.

Responding to the soaring phenomenon, many countries, particularly
those whose ships pass through the waterway, have sent anti-piracy
ships to hunt pirates.

FR