Maersk Alabama captain freed

Maersk Alabama captain freed Maersk Alabama captain freed
   The U.S. Navy said it has freed Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama from his captors in an operation off the coast of Somalia that occurred Sunday at about 7:19 p.m. local time, 12:19 p.m. Eastern Daily Savings Time.
   Three of the pirates that had been holding Phillips since Wednesday were killed in the operation, another pirate was captured.
   “This was an incredible team effort, and I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of all the men and women who made this rescue possible,” said Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. “The actions of Capt. Phillips and the civilian mariners of Maersk Alabama were heroic. They fought back to regain control of their ship, and Capt. Phillips selflessly put his life in the hands of these armed criminals in order to protect his crew.”
   Following the rescue, Phillips was initially taken aboard the Norfolk, Va.-based guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge. Phillips was subsequently flown to the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation, and is resting comfortably.
   John Reinhart, chief executive of Maersk Line Ltd., the company that operated the Alabama, said Phillips' rescue “is truly, truly a wonderful moment.”
   “I just talked to Richard a little while ago. We had a nice conversation. He’s well, he’s getting some rest and he’ll soon be home,” Reinhart said. He said Phillips expressed his gratitude to the Navy and the support to his family during the crisis. He said members of the crew of the Maersk Alabama were “cheering and applauding and
making noise that their captain is coming to rejoin them.”
   Maersk said it would repatriate the entire crew so that they can rejoin their families.
   Pirates attacked the civilian containership Maersk Alabama early on April 8, more than 300 miles off the coast of Africa as it was steaming to Mombasa, Kenya, with a load of general cargo, including food aid. The crew was able to repel the pirates and capture one. The other pirates fled the ship, using one of the ship’s lifeboat, and taking Phillips as a hostage. The Maersk Alabama crew released the pirate they held to his comrades in an attempted prisoner exchange, but the pirates continued to hold Phillips aboard the lifeboat at gunpoint. A stalemate ensued, and when the Navy arrived, it took over negotiations and sent the Maersk Alabama to continue its voyage to Mombasa.
   “You should know the crew was really challenged with the order to leave Richard,” Reinhart said. “But as mariners they took the order to preserve the ship and they knew the Navy would preserve their captain.”