The U.S merchant ship, Maersk Alabama was again attacked today by Somali pirates, who hit the vessel with automatic weapons, but their assault was thwarted by a group of private security force that was on board and was responsible for the ship’s security.

The Maersk Alabama was being monitored by a U.S surveillance aircraft, while the vessel was in transit across the Kenyan coast, when a group of four pirates tried to conduct a raid on the ship, that was repelled by the security force and with the use of a non-lethal sonic blaster that, emits a high pitched sounds that can immobilize and disarm an assailant.

The Alabama was attacked previously in the month of April this year, when the captain of the vessel, Richard Phillips was taken hostage by the Somali pirates and was later rescued by the special forces U.S Navy Seals team in which three pirates were killed by Seals snipers. According to Vice Adm. Bill Gortney (Central Command, U.S Navy),

“This is a great example of how merchant mariners can take proactive action to prevent being attacked and why we recommend that ships follow industry best practices if they’re in high-risk areas.”

Ever since the first attack on the Maersk Alabama, the owner of the vessel has reportedly spent a fortune to ensure that the ship becomes pirate proof. These steps include, structural changes, installation safety equipment and the most important of them being a permanent assignment of security force, comprised primarily of ex-military professionals.

Via Associated Press.