In 2009, much greater international resolution has resulted in more control of piracy than in the prior decade, although many pirates still operate from Somalia.
On 2 January a Netherlands Antilles-registered cargo ship was attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden. A Danish antipiracy ship, the Absalon, sent an armed helicopter that fired warning shots and flares. The pirate speedboat caught fire and sank.
On 5 January, a Sierra Leone cargo vessel was attacked and chased by 4 pirate vessels in the Gulf of Aden. The ship escaped.
On April 8, the cargo of the Maersk Alabama was attacked and captured by Somali pirates 240 nautical miles (440 km) southeast of the Somalia port city of Eyl.
