US Ship Fires on Boat in Suez Canal

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US Ship Fires on Boat in Suez Canal
Associated Press | By Maggie Michael | March 25, 2008

CAIRO, Egypt - An American cargo ship under contract to the U.S. Navy opened fire on a small Egyptian boat while moving through the Suez Canal, the Navy said March 25.

Egyptian authorities said at least one man was killed.

The Global Patriot was heading in the direction of the Mediterranean after dark when it was approached by several small boats, according to both Navy and Egyptian officials.

"The ship warned the small boats - via bridge to bridge radio and a series of warning steps - to turn away. One small boat continued to approach the motor vessel, which then repeatedly fired shots," said the statement from the U.S. Fifth Fleet, which did not mention casualties.

The U.S. Navy is very careful about the activities of small boats near their war ships ever since the 2000 suicide attack by a motor boat on the USS Cole in Yemen killed 17 sailors. According to the U.S. statement, there was a Navy security team aboard the Global Patriot, which was under contract to the Navy's Military Sealift Command.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,164681,00.html?wh=wh