A Chinese naval ship patrolling waters off the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, north of Somalia, successfully rescued two ships that were attacked by pirates on Monday, the Xinhua News Agency reported today.

The frigate Huangshan of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) received a call for help at 8:15 am local time on July 13 from the Liberian tanker "A. Elephant," which said it was being attacked by pirates. The Huangshan, which was 39.8 sea miles away from the tanker, launched a helicopter immediately.

The helicopter reached the tanker at 9:43 am and fired signal flares and non-lethal shells that produce a loud noise and bright light at the pirates, scaring them off. The pirates tried to attack a second ship, the "Polyhronis" of Malta, but were again dispersed by the Huangshan.

The Huangshan is one of the PLA Navy's escort fleet assigned to anti-piracy duty near waters of Somalia in April.

(Chinadaily.com.cn July 15, 2009)