( CNN ) -- NATO forces patrolling the Gulf of Aden foiled a pirate attack on a Norwegian tanker this weekend , a NATO spokesman said . The Canadian navy 's HMCS Winnipeg helped foil a pirate attack on a Norwegian tanker Sunday , NATO says . Pirates attempted to capture the MV Front Ardennes at 6 p.m. Saturday and were apprehended seven hours later , Commander Chris Davies told CNN . A NATO-supported Canadian navy ship , the HMCS Winnipeg , was returning from escorting a World Food Program vessel in the gulf when it saw the Norwegian ship under attack , Davies said . A British Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel , the Wave Knight , was also in the area . The pirates were captured at 1 a.m. Sunday after they threw weapons , ladders and scaling equipment overboard , Davies said . Several rounds of ammunition were found on the pirates ' boat . The pirates were detained , but allowed to go free after questioning . There is currently no formal procedure for NATO personnel to follow once they have apprehended pirates , Davies noted . Their weapons are confiscated and they are then typically given provisions and released . The Sunday incident is the latest in a string of hijackings off the Horn of Africa , which have received more attention since pirates attacked a U.S.-flagged cargo ship on April 8 and took its captain hostage . See a map of pirate attacks » . CNN 's Carol Jordan in London , England , contributed to this report .
Canadian , British vessels on NATO patrol prevent hijacking of Norwegian ship . Pirates captured after seven-hour chase , but then released , NATO says . Lacking formal procedure , NATO generally takes pirates ' weapons but lets them go . Sunday attack latest in a long string of hijackings and attempts in Gulf of Aden .