SHANGHAI: They used water cannons, self-made bombs, and beer bottles on the high sea to ward off an attack by Somali pirates.

But it was their courage, more than the weapons, which kept the pirates at bay for four long hours in the Gulf of Aden. Help in the shape of two Malaysian warships and a helicopter did, of course, play the major part.

The 30 sailors who fought off the pirates on Dec 17 sailed into Shanghai on board Chinese cargo ship Zhenhua 4 yesterday. They returned home to the relief of their families and friends and a warm welcome from people around.