The HMAS Melbourne, acting with the International anti-piracy task force in the Indian Ocean, captured nine Somali Pirates and scuttled two of their boats.

This happened some 500 nautical miles off Somali in the Indian Ocean.  The anti-piracy force had been searching for this group of pirates since an attack and gunfire exchange with the supertanker Island Splendor last week.  Three days later, the same group of pirates was suspected of attacking a Spanish fishing vessel.

A Seahawk helicopter traced the skiffs and guided the Melbourne to engage the pirates.

Even though Somali piracy peaked in 2011, there’s still a need for heightened security in those shipping lanes. 

“It is clear that there are still pirates out there determined to generate income from taking merchant ships hostage,” said Commander Brian Schlegel, HMAS Melbourne's commanding officer.