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Pirates attack second US vessel Pirates attack second US vessel
(20 minutes later)
Pirates have used rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons to attack another US merchant ship off the coast of Somalia.Pirates have used rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons to attack another US merchant ship off the coast of Somalia.
The pirates damaged the Liberty Sun, which was carrying a cargo of food aid, but were not able to board it.The pirates damaged the Liberty Sun, which was carrying a cargo of food aid, but were not able to board it.
The ship asked for assistance from the US warship which was involved in the rescue of a US captain seized by pirates last week.The ship asked for assistance from the US warship which was involved in the rescue of a US captain seized by pirates last week.
Capt Richard Phillips is due to fly back to the US from Kenya later.Capt Richard Phillips is due to fly back to the US from Kenya later.
The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the latest attack shows the defiance and danger posed by pirates off the Somali coast.The BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington says the latest attack shows the defiance and danger posed by pirates off the Somali coast.
Despite renewed US calls to quell piracy, four more vessels have been successfully seized over the past two days.Despite renewed US calls to quell piracy, four more vessels have been successfully seized over the past two days.
The operation to free Capt Phillips, who was held captive in a lifeboat for five days, left three pirates dead on Sunday.The operation to free Capt Phillips, who was held captive in a lifeboat for five days, left three pirates dead on Sunday.
Somali pirate leaders - who have generally treated captives well in the hope of winning big ransom payouts - vowed on Monday to avenge the deaths.Somali pirate leaders - who have generally treated captives well in the hope of winning big ransom payouts - vowed on Monday to avenge the deaths.
DestroyerDestroyer
Owners of the Liberty Sun and the US military confirmed reports of the latest, failed attack, which took place on Tuesday lunchtime local time.Owners of the Liberty Sun and the US military confirmed reports of the latest, failed attack, which took place on Tuesday lunchtime local time.
We are grateful and pleased that no one was injured Liberty Maritime Corp US crew's 'hide-and-seek' Q&A: Somali piracy We are grateful and pleased that no one was injured Liberty Maritime Corp US crew's 'hide-and-seek' Q&A: Somali piracy
After coming under fire, the Liberty Sun immediately requested assistance from the USS Bainbridge, said owners Liberty Maritime Corp in a statement.After coming under fire, the Liberty Sun immediately requested assistance from the USS Bainbridge, said owners Liberty Maritime Corp in a statement.
The navy destroyer arrived some hours later, by which time the pirates had gone.The navy destroyer arrived some hours later, by which time the pirates had gone.
"We are grateful and pleased that no-one was injured and the crew and the ship are safe," said the Liberty Maritime Corp statement."We are grateful and pleased that no-one was injured and the crew and the ship are safe," said the Liberty Maritime Corp statement.
The ship did sustain some damage, it said, but was able to resume its journey to Mombasa.The ship did sustain some damage, it said, but was able to resume its journey to Mombasa.
In the 48 hours prior to the attack, four vessels have been seized in the same area:In the 48 hours prior to the attack, four vessels have been seized in the same area:
  • A Lebanese-owned cargo ship, the MV Sea Horse, was taken by gunmen in up to four skiffs
  • A Greek-owned bulk carrier, the MV Irene was also seized
  • Two Egyptian fishing boats were held the previous day
  • A Lebanese-owned cargo ship, the MV Sea Horse, was taken by gunmen in up to four skiffs
  • A Greek-owned bulk carrier, the MV Irene was also seized
  • Two Egyptian fishing boats were held the previous day
Meanwhile, three Somali pirates who had taken French hostages are in custody in France, French prosecutors say.Meanwhile, three Somali pirates who had taken French hostages are in custody in France, French prosecutors say.
The pirates were captured during a military operation to free hostages taken on the Tanit, a French yacht overtaken by hostages in the Gulf of Aden on 4 April.The pirates were captured during a military operation to free hostages taken on the Tanit, a French yacht overtaken by hostages in the Gulf of Aden on 4 April.
The boat's French skipper and two other pirates were killed in the operation by French commandoes.The boat's French skipper and two other pirates were killed in the operation by French commandoes.
'Peaks and troughs''Peaks and troughs'
US President Barack Obama promised on Monday to "halt the rise of piracy" in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.US President Barack Obama promised on Monday to "halt the rise of piracy" in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Cdr Chris Davis, chief public affairs officer for Nato, told the BBC the surge in attacks could be simply down to chance.Cdr Chris Davis, chief public affairs officer for Nato, told the BBC the surge in attacks could be simply down to chance.
"We do see peaks and troughs. Often weather-related and often it's just the situation as it arises and the opportunity - and that's what the pirates are, they are opportunistic.""We do see peaks and troughs. Often weather-related and often it's just the situation as it arises and the opportunity - and that's what the pirates are, they are opportunistic."
Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to Somali pirates.Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to Somali pirates.
The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.The Horn of Africa nation has been without an effective government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness which has allowed the pirates to thrive.
Efforts to stop the raiders have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate.Efforts to stop the raiders have so far had only limited success, with international naval patrols struggling to cover the vast areas of ocean where the gangs operate.
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which was carrying US food aid to the Kenyan port of Mombasa.
but did not manage to board.