These are the amazing scenes after the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland managed to capture ten suspected Somali pirates.
The warship chased the pirates across the Indian Ocean until its finally captured them in the Guld of Aden.
The pirates had no choice but to surrender having come face-to-face with much superior firepower.
When the British sailors boarded the pirate skiffs they found grappling hooks, rocket Propelled Grenades, AK-47 machine guns and M-16 rifles as well as ammunition on board.
Once the crew were removed, the RN destroyed one of the skiffs to prevent it being used again.
Pictured: The moment Royal Navy captured Somali pirate gang after cat-and-mouse chase across Indian Ocean
By Mail Foreign Service
03rd June 2009
Daily Mail
Outnumbered, outgunned and outmanoeuvred, this is the moment ten suspected Somali pirates were captured by British sailors.
The gang was seized by men from the HMS Portland after a cat-and-mouse chase across the Indian Ocean.
When the two skiffs were eventually boarded, Navy officers found grappling hooks, rocket Propelled Grenades, AK-47 machine guns and M-16 rifles as well as ammunition on board.
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Hands up: Royal Navy sailors board one of the skiffs and take the crew into custody after pursuing the boat through the Gulf of Aden
The pirates were loaded onto one of the skiffs while the second was deliberately destroyed by gunfire.
But despite the deadly cargo, the suspects were released because there was 'insufficient evidence' to link them to an attack.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) which ran the operation admitted these were not the kind of items found on an 'innocent fishing vessel'.
The CMF explained in a statement: 'Due to insufficient evidence to directly link the group to a specific attack, the suspected pirates were disarmed and released.
'Having prevented this group of pirates from reaching their merchant traffic prey Portland destroyed one of the skiffs and confiscated all their weapons.'
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Dramatic: Once the crew were removed, one of the boats was destroyed with gunfire to prevent it being used again (above and below)
Commodore Tim Lowe, CMF Deputy Commander, said: 'This is an excellent example of international co-ordination.
Royal Navy officers worked alongside their Spanish counterparts to carry out the mission.
'This international collaboration cannot be understated and as more countries join the fight, we will continue to work together to help deter, disrupt and thwart criminal acts of piracy in the maritime environment.'
Portland's boarding team consisted of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel.
The ship's Lynx helicopter, equipped with a machine gun and snipers, provided cover throughout the operation, while the boarding team was inserted using armed inflatable boats.
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Air support: The Somali suspects are guarded by sailors after being seized
Commander Tim Henry, Portland's Commanding Officer added: 'HMS Portland has once again demonstrated the Coalition and Royal Navy's commitment to keeping the sea lanes open and making this key waterway safe for international trade.'
The CMF commands a multinational task force, consisting of naval forces from Turkey, UK, US, South Korea, Singapore, Denmark and Japan.
The Gulf of Aden is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, crossed by 20,000 ships a year, and a prime target for Somali pirates.
Crews have made millions of pounds by capturing and ransoming commercial vessels.
Enlarge
HMS Portland (below) has been in the Gulf of Aden to disrupt the gangs of pirates: In an earlier raid, officers used a Lynx helicopter to tackle a suspect dhow (above)
dailumail.co.uk
The warship chased the pirates across the Indian Ocean until its finally captured them in the Guld of Aden.
The pirates had no choice but to surrender having come face-to-face with much superior firepower.
When the British sailors boarded the pirate skiffs they found grappling hooks, rocket Propelled Grenades, AK-47 machine guns and M-16 rifles as well as ammunition on board.
Once the crew were removed, the RN destroyed one of the skiffs to prevent it being used again.
Pictured: The moment Royal Navy captured Somali pirate gang after cat-and-mouse chase across Indian Ocean
By Mail Foreign Service
03rd June 2009
Daily Mail
Outnumbered, outgunned and outmanoeuvred, this is the moment ten suspected Somali pirates were captured by British sailors.
The gang was seized by men from the HMS Portland after a cat-and-mouse chase across the Indian Ocean.
When the two skiffs were eventually boarded, Navy officers found grappling hooks, rocket Propelled Grenades, AK-47 machine guns and M-16 rifles as well as ammunition on board.
Enlarge
Hands up: Royal Navy sailors board one of the skiffs and take the crew into custody after pursuing the boat through the Gulf of AdenThe pirates were loaded onto one of the skiffs while the second was deliberately destroyed by gunfire.
But despite the deadly cargo, the suspects were released because there was 'insufficient evidence' to link them to an attack.
Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) which ran the operation admitted these were not the kind of items found on an 'innocent fishing vessel'.
The CMF explained in a statement: 'Due to insufficient evidence to directly link the group to a specific attack, the suspected pirates were disarmed and released.
'Having prevented this group of pirates from reaching their merchant traffic prey Portland destroyed one of the skiffs and confiscated all their weapons.'
Enlarge
Dramatic: Once the crew were removed, one of the boats was destroyed with gunfire to prevent it being used again (above and below)
Commodore Tim Lowe, CMF Deputy Commander, said: 'This is an excellent example of international co-ordination.
Royal Navy officers worked alongside their Spanish counterparts to carry out the mission.
'This international collaboration cannot be understated and as more countries join the fight, we will continue to work together to help deter, disrupt and thwart criminal acts of piracy in the maritime environment.'
Portland's boarding team consisted of Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel.
The ship's Lynx helicopter, equipped with a machine gun and snipers, provided cover throughout the operation, while the boarding team was inserted using armed inflatable boats.
Enlarge
Air support: The Somali suspects are guarded by sailors after being seized
Commander Tim Henry, Portland's Commanding Officer added: 'HMS Portland has once again demonstrated the Coalition and Royal Navy's commitment to keeping the sea lanes open and making this key waterway safe for international trade.'
The CMF commands a multinational task force, consisting of naval forces from Turkey, UK, US, South Korea, Singapore, Denmark and Japan.
The Gulf of Aden is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, crossed by 20,000 ships a year, and a prime target for Somali pirates.
Crews have made millions of pounds by capturing and ransoming commercial vessels.
Enlarge
HMS Portland (below) has been in the Gulf of Aden to disrupt the gangs of pirates: In an earlier raid, officers used a Lynx helicopter to tackle a suspect dhow (above)
dailumail.co.uk
