By Navy Chief Petty Officer Michael Lewis
U.S. 6th Fleet
April 1, 2010 - The crew of the USS Nicholas captured suspected pirates today after exchanging fire, sinking a skiff and confiscating a suspected mother ship.
While operating west of the Seychelles in international waters, the Nicholas crew reported taking fire at 12:27 a.m. local time from a suspected pirate skiff and returned fire, pursuing the vessel until the disabled skiff stopped.
At about 2 a.m., personnel from Nicholas boarded the disabled skiff and detained three people. The boarding team found ammunition and multiple cans of fuel on board.
After taking the suspected pirates on board, the Nicholas crew sank the disabled skiff at about 3 a.m.
Two more suspected pirates were captured on the confiscated mother ship.
The suspects will remain in U.S. custody on board Nicholas until a determination is made regarding their disposition, officials said.
The USS Nicholas, an Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate home-ported in Norfolk, Va., is supporting U.S. Naval Forces Africa, the naval component of U.S. Africa Command.
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