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March 4, 2009

© March 4, 2009

BERLIN

A Norfolk-based ship helped a German frigate capture nine suspected pirates who were attacking a freighter in the Gulf of Aden, the German navy announced.

The navy said its Rheinland-Pfalz frigate responded to a distress call Tuesday morning from the MV Courier, a cargo ship owned by Hamburg shipping company Gebrueder Winter.

The ship reported that it was under fire from pirates armed with guns and a grenade launcher.

The frigate sent its onboard Sea Lynx helicopter to the scene where it met up with an American helicopter sent from the cruiser Monterey. The helicopters fired warning shots at the pirates’ boat.

The Rheinland-Pfalz raced 50 nautical miles to the area. Its crew boarded the pirates’ boat and detained them.