US-Flagged Maersk Alabama Fights Off Second Pirate Attack

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - The EU’s anti-piracy force says that
Somali pirates have again attacked the Maersk Alabama, the
U.S.-flagged ship hijacked last spring.
    The EU Naval Force says pirates fired automatic weapons at the
ship, but that guards on board the craft fired back and thwarted
Tuesday’s attack.
    The vessel was previously hijacked in April. Pirates took
American ship captain Richard Phillips hostage and held him at
gunpoint in a lifeboat for five days.
    Navy SEAL sharpshooters freed Phillips while killing three
pirates in a daring nighttime attack.
    Cmdr. John Harbour, a spokesman for the EU Naval Force, says
it’s pure chance the Maersk Alabama was attacked a second time. He
says every ship sailing off East Africa is at risk from pirates.