Second U.S. ship attacked by Somali pirates

Posted 24 min ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Somali pirates have attacked and damaged an American ship carrying humanitarian aid, but the ship and crew are safe under Navy escort.

A U.S. Central Command spokesman says the Liberty Sun reported being attacked around 11:30 a.m. ET Tuesday. The vessel's owner, Lake Success, N.Y.-based Liberty Maritime Corp., says the pirates fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. The ship was en route from Houston to Mombasa, Kenya.

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The military spokesman, Navy Capt. Jack Hanzlik, says the Liberty Sun has a crew of about 20.

He says the USS Bainbridge sailed to the scene and reported on arriving at 5:30 p.m. ET that the pirates had left, and there were no injuries.

The Liberty Sun is continuing on its way to Mombasa

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009 ... tack_N.htm