Rovers rendezvous? Maersk Alabama standoff continues

Rovers rendezvous? Maersk Alabama standoff continues    The hostage drama growing out of the hijacking of U.S.-flag containership Maersk Alabama has entered its third day, with pirates still holding the captain of the ship hostage in one of the vessel’s lifeboats.
   The Maersk Alabama left the scene of the hijacking on Thursday, leaving negotiators onboard U.S. Navy destroyer Bainbridge, to try and win the release of Capt. Richard Phillips.
   There were reports that Phillips, who is being held at gunpoint by the pirates in a lifeboat more than 300 miles off the coast of Somalia, tried unsuccessfully overnight to escape his kidnappers by jumping out of the boat and trying to swim to the Bainbridge. But he was recaptured by the pirates before he could make it to safety.
   Meanwhile, the Associated Press said the situation may be escalating with both additional U.S. Navy vessels and commercial ships that have been seized by other gangs of pirates steaming to the scene of the hostage drama. The AP said the pirates on board the lifeboat are apparently hoping to link up with colleagues who have seized ships with Russian, German and Filipino crews.

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   Maersk Lines Ltd., the U.S.-flag arm of the Danish shipping giant A.P. Moller – Maersk, said Thursday that the Maersk Alabama is proceeding to her next port, while negotiators aboard the Navy ship remained to try and secure the release of Phillips. They are reportedly being assisted by FBI hostage negotiators.
   Maersk said Thursday in a brief statement the U.S.-flag containership and its 20 crewmembers was moving to its “next port of call, where the crew can be repatriated to the U.S. and reunited with their families.” Maersk did not share details on the ship’s compliment or schedule, but press reports said there were armed guards on board to protect the crew and that it was steaming to Mombasa to discharge a load of containers filled with general cargo and food aid.
   Pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama early Wednesday morning more than 300 miles off the coast of Africa as it was steaming to Mombasa, but the crew was able to capture one of the pirates and then retake the ship several hours later. While details are sketching, some press reports say Phillips ordered the crew to lock themselves in their cabins and offered himself as a hostage to the pirates who then abandoned the ship in one of the Alabama's lifeboats.