The Maersk Alabama was targeted in an April hijacking that ended with Navy snipers killing three pirates.

Mike Mount
CNN Senior Pentagon Producer

Pirates holding a Taiwanese-flagged ship off the coast of Somalia fired on a U.S. Navy helicopter Wednesday during a patrol flight to monitor the ship, according to a U.S. Navy statement.

The helicopter was not struck and all crew members were safe after the incident, the statement said.

The incident highlights the piracy problem still ongoing in that region even as U.S. and coalition ships patrol the waters off the coast of that country in a counter-piracy mission.

The M/V Win Far has been held by Somali pirates since it was hijacked on April 6th. Navy officials said the ship is being used as a “mother ship,” or a floating base, to launch attacks on other ships, including the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama, according to Navy officials.

According to the Navy statement, the flight crew on the helicopter, “noticed activity” on the ship but could not determine if the pirates had fired on the SH-60 helicopter.

When the helicopter returned to the USS Chancellorsville a review of the helicopters infrared camera showed the helicopter was fired on.

The Navy helicopter did not return fire during the patrol, according to the statement.

Since the start of the year dozens of ships have been attacked or hijacked, according to statistics from the International Maritime Bureau, an organization that monitors piracy around the world.