New York City ? Somali pirates attacked and damaged an American ship carrying humanitarian aid, but the ship and crew are safe under Navy escort.

A U.S. Central Command spokesman says the Liberty Sun reported being attacked around 10:30 a.m. CDT Tuesday. The vessel’s owner, Lake Success, N.Y.-based Liberty Maritime Corp., says the pirates fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons. The ship was en route from Houston to Mombasa, Kenya.

The military spokesman, Navy Capt. Jack Hanzlik, says the Liberty Sun has a crew of about 20.

He says the USS Bainbridge sailed to the scene and reported on arriving at 4:30 p.m. CDT that the pirates had left.