(CNN) -- The U.S.-flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama, which played a central role in a bloody hijacking drama last spring, was attacked again Wednesday.
But this time, the container ship fended off the attack by firing back, the European Union's anti-piracy force said.
Pirates fired automatic weapons at the ship as it sailed about 350 nautical miles east of Somalia, the EU naval force said.
Private security guards aboard the Maersk Alabama ship fired back and used loud sounds to repel the attack, the U.S. Navy said.
No casualties were reported.
In April, the Danish-owned ship was attacked in the Indian Ocean.
The pirates seized the ship's captain, Richard Phillips, and held him hostage on a lifeboat after their failed attempt to hijack his ship.
Five days later, U.S. Navy snipers fatally shot three pirates, rescued Phillips and arrested a fourth pirate.
