GULF OF ADEN -- The Norfolk-based USS San Jacinto is on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, which is a corridor much of the world's trade.
CTF-151, a coalition anti-piracy effort, is working to fend off pirate attacks in an area where hundreds of attacks are carried out each year.
Capt. John Cordle, commanding officer, USS San Jacinto, tracked down a boat of suspected pirates believed to have tried to board a merchant ship.
"As soon as they saw us, they started chucking their weapons overboard, weapons and paraphenalia. 20-30 minutes into the chase, we got permission for warning shots. About the eight time they did that, he just stopped and threw his hands up," he said.
There have been nearly 200 pirate attacks world wide so far this year and half have occurred in the Gulf of Aden off the Coast of Somalia, an area nearly 750 kilometers.
"Not every nation has domestic law that allows for the prosecution of piracy and that's one of the major challenges that we face. So it's either prosecute or catch and release. Unfortunatly, catch and release is the majority of the operations we have," stated Lt. Tracy Reynolds, the legal adviser for CTF-151.
Experts estimate the cost of global piracy could be as much as $16 billion a year.
CTF-151 began its anti-piracy mission in 2008. The command of the taskforce rotates among 24 countries.
While some merchant ships consider having armed guards, many others are hoping the military presence will keep them safe.
The Navy ships have been a deterrent. The International Maritime Bureau says there's been a decline in pirate attacks for the first half of 2010.
