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UAE Forces Rescue Tanker From Pirates

Published Apr 4, 2011 4:12 PM by The Maritime Executive

On Saturday United Arab Emirates forces stormed a hijacked oil tanker, the MV Arrilah-1, in the Arabian Sea.  The vessel, owned by a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, had been hijacked the day before by two skiffs carrying three pirates each.

The ships crew found shelter in the citadel where they sent out distress calls.

The UAE Anti-Terrorist Unit, Air Forces, and Air Defense units, along with the US 5th fleet, boarded the vessel and arrested the pirates.

Officials say the crew is safe and the vessel is continuing on its original voyage to Jebel Alil in Dubai, this time with an armed guard onboard.

The six pirates will be taken back to the UAE, where they will face trial.