A Chinese naval fleet returned from an escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to a military port in Sanya City on March 18. The 27th fleet is composed of the guided-missile destroyer Haikou, the guided-missile frigate Yueyang and the comprehensive supply ship Qinghaihu. The mission covered nearly 120,000 nautical miles during a 230-day sail and escorted 54 ships in 36 batches and rescued five ships which were attacked by pirates. The fleet also expelled 42 suspicious vessels.