US Navy Stops Pirate Attack

The U.S. Navy says it has stopped a pirate attack on a merchant vessel north of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden. The Navy says the USS Peleliu responded to a call for help from the Gem of Kilakari. The ship said it was under attack from armed pirates as it was traveling to the Suez Canal.USS PELELIU (LHA-5)The Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said in a statement that the USS Peleliu was about 10 miles (16 kilometers) from the Gem of Kilakari when it received the distress call. The Navy says the suspected pirate ships fled the scene after the USS Peleliu launched three helicopters. The Navy says one grenade landed on the Gem of Kilakari's bridge wing but didn't explode, and no injuries were reported.