A maritime official says German forces have rescued an Egyptian ship from a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden.

Noel Choong of the International Maritime Bureau, IMB, says pirates tried to hijack a bulk carrier with 31 crew off the coast of Somalia Thursday.  He says a passing ship alerted the bureau, which asked a multinational coalition force in the area to help.

Choong says a German warship sent a helicopter that scared off the attackers, but not before the pirates shot and injured a crew member.

He says the injured man was airlifted to the German ship for treatment.

Germany is one of several nations with ships patrolling the pirate-infested waters off Somalia.

The International Maritime Bureau says pirates have attacked 110 ships this year and hijacked 42, most of which were released after hefty ransom payments.

The pirates are currently holding 14 ships and their crews.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.