The skiffs were used by the pirates to intercept and board the tanker. They were being towed astern of the tanker when they were destroyed but the pirates were already on board and in control of the tanker. The tanker escaped into Somali territorial waters where it was held until released. USN and multinational CTF 150 forces will not enter Somali territorial waters in pursuit of pirates (although I thought I recently saw a change in this policy).
P.S. My last ship was part of this force in late 2005-early 2006.
Thank You.
1. Thank you for your service!
2. Thanks for the explanation.