Royal Navy frigate HMS Monmouth came to the aid of a merchant ship that had come under attack from pirates in the southern Red Sea last week.

The Maltese-flagged, Greek-owned MV Caravos Horizon, a 63,000 ton bulk carrier, was on passage south through the Red Sea when boarded by six armed men.

The Filipino crew, made up of 24 people, took shelter in the ship's citadel.

Monmouth, a Type 23 frigate known as the 'Black Duke', was patrolling 90 miles to the south when alerted to the situation.

For full details see Beacon 17/08/11.