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The Dolphin approached the distress position from the northwest at a distance of nearly four nautical PLOHV DQG YLVXDOO\ FRQÀ UPHG WKH LQLWLDO UHSRUW )URP our position, we could see that the pirate skiff was closing fast on the defenseless ship. I contacted the vessel's captain to inform him we had visual contact, and would be there momentarily to assist. Rendering Assistance Our crew started documenting the attack from an altitude of 1,000 feet as we planned our assistance. We knew from the vessel master's communication that the pirates were armed with semi-automatic weap- ons, but we didn't know if they had any rocket-pro- pelled grenades—the "weapons of choice" for many pirates in the region. 2XU SUHYLRXV UHVHDUFK DQG EULHÀ QJV LQGLFDWHG WKDW from a certain altitude, we could maneuver away from a rocket-propelled grenade and have a reason- able chance of dodging bullets. We hoped it wouldn't come to that. As we approached, the imperiled vessel turned hard to port. The course change pointed the vessel straight at us and increased our rate of closure. The pirates' skiff turned to follow until it appeared they saw our helicopter and made a hard turn to starboard, away IURP WKHLU WDUJHW YHVVHO 6LQFH RXU À UVW SULRULW\ ZDV WR HQVXUH WKH VDIHW\ RI WKH FUHZ ZH FRQÀ UPHG ZLWK WKH captain that there were no crew casualties or vessel damage, and then proceeded to follow the skiff. The pirate skiff made best speed back toward Somalia, nearly 60 nautical miles away. We followed, vectoring Boutwell to close in for the boarding. Two coalition air- FUDIW D À [HG ZLQJ )UHQFK 3 DQG D 8 6 1DY\ 6+ Seahawk, joined our pursuit. We assumed on-scene commander duties and assigned aircraft separation altitudes, with the P-3 staying above 1,500 feet, the Seahawk below 1,000 feet, and we stayed in between. Documenting the Case 2XU À UVW FKDOOHQJH ZDV WR SURYLGH Boutwell usable images of the skiff to determine the number of pirates aboard, verify the types of weapons they were carry- ing, and to help build a case package for prosecution. However, our images were not very clear from 1,000 feet above. Also, the Seahawk couldn't help out with images, since it had no cameras. :KLOH RXU À UVW SULRULW\ ZDV WR RIIHU WKH ERDUGLQJ WHDP as much information as possible to complete a safe boarding, we also knew images would be stronger evidence than aircrew testimony alone to establish proof for prosecution. While developing our plan to assist our boarding team, we realized endurance would become an issue for us as well as the Seahawk. Divide and Conquer The Dolphin was more fuel-critical than the Seahawk, so, we positioned ourselves nearly one mile off of the skiff's port bow and descended to 500 feet. The rela- tive position and closure rate provided good escape options and allowed us to close on the skiff at vary- ing speeds, headings, and altitudes to minimize the SLUDWHV· DELOLW\ WR DLP DQG À UH DQ\ ZHDSRQV LQ RXU direction. The Seahawk circled overhead with weapons trained on the pirate's skiff and monitored our approach. During a pre-brief with the Seahawk crew we had all DJUHHG LI WKHUH ZDV DQ\ GDQJHU RU VKRWV À UHG IURP WKH skiff, we would break left—away from the skiff—to give them a clear shot. If it was safe to continue, we would break right, capture the highly sought-after photographs, and return to Boutwell for our much- needed fuel. The plan worked, and we were able to capture sev- eral images in a reconnaissance pass. These images showed there were seven pirates aboard the skiff. We then departed the scene and returned to Boutwell to process the images and refuel. continued on page 49 46 Proceedings Spring 2012 www.uscg.mil/proceedings