The Merchant vessel Golden Nori refuels with the U.S. Navy dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) following its release from Somalia-based pirates on 12 Dec. Pirates seized the Panamanian-flagged vessel Oct. 28 and held the 23-man crew hostage in Somali territorial waters. Whidbey Island is deployed to the U.S. Navy 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Maritime Security Operations.

 

Photo : U.S. Navy ©