The rescue was completed today by the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team of guided missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 100). USS Kidd is assigned to the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, which recently transited from the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea.
As described in the Navy press release, the VBSS team recovered the fishing dhow Al Molai from the 15 suspected pirates without resistance.
“After securing the ship and ensuring the safety of all persons on board, we began distributing food and water to both the crew and the suspected criminals as is our standard practice in Counter-Piracy operations,” said [NCIS agent Josh] Schminky. The pirates were detained on the Al Molai by the Kidd boarding party until the next morning when they could be transferred to the USS John C. Stennis where the matter will be reviewed for prosecution. The pirates currently remain on the Stennis.
“The Captain of the Al Molai expressed his sincere gratitude that we came to assist them. He was afraid that without our help, they could have been there for months,” said Schminky.
Comments
Not the first time USN has responded to a distress signal from an Iranian crewed dhow, but arguably the most publicized.
PressTV runs IRIN press releases for their anti-piracy task forces, as well, but they never seem to make Western MSM newswires. I think IRIN is going on their 17th or 18th task force, with the very limited resources it brings to bear (usually a FFG and another ship w/helo deck, such as a LSLH, AORH or AORLH).