US sea captain freed in swift firefight

[David]

AP


MOMBASA, Kenya – An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a U.S. Navy operation that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said.

One of the pirates was wounded and in custody after a swift firefight, the official said.

Capt. Richard Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.

The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A government official and others in Somali with knowledge of the situation had reported hours earlier that negotiations for Phillips' release had broken down.

The district commissioner of the central Mudug region said talks went on all day Saturday, with clan elders from his area talking by satellite telephone and through a translator with Americans, but collapsed late Saturday night.

"The negotiations between the elders and American officials have broken down. The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates," said the commissioner, Abdi Aziz Aw Yusuf. He said he organized initial contacts between the elders and the Americans.

Two other Somalis, one involved in the negotiations and another in contact with the pirates, also said the talks collapsed because of the U.S. insistence that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.

Phillips' crew of 19 American sailors reached safe harbor in Kenya's northeast port of Mombasa on Saturday night under guard of U.S. Navy Seals, exhilarated by their freedom but mourning the absence of Phillips.

Crew members said their ordeal had begun with the Somali pirates hauling themselves up from a small boat bobbing on the surface of the Indian Ocean far below.

As the pirates shot in the air, Phillips told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men, crew members said.

Phillips was then held hostage in an enclosed lifeboat that was closely watched by U.S. warships and a helicopter in an increasingly tense standoff.

Talks to free him began Thursday with the captain of the USS Bainbridge talking to the pirates under instruction from FBI hostage negotiators on board the U.S. destroyer.

A statement from Maersk Line, owner of Phillips' ship, the Maersk Alabama, said "the U.S. Navy had sight contact" of Phillips earlier Sunday — apparently when the pirates opened the hatches.

Before Phillips was freed, a pirate who said he was associated with the gang that held Phillips, Ahmed Mohamed Nur, told The Associated Press that the pirates had reported that "helicopters continue to fly over their heads in the daylight and in the night they are under the focus of a spotlight from a warship."

He spoke by satellite phone from Harardhere, a port and pirate stronghold where a fisherman said helicopters flew over the town Sunday morning and a warship was looming on the horizon. The fisherman, Abdi Sheikh Muse, said that could be an indication the lifeboat may be near to shore.

The U.S. Navy had assumed the pirates would try to get their hostage to shore, where they can hide him on Somalia's lawless soil and be in a stronger position to negotiate a ransom.

Three U.S. warships were within easy reach of the lifeboat on Saturday. The pirates had threatened to kill Phillips if attacked.

On Friday, the French navy freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the five hostages was killed.

Early Saturday, the pirates holding Phillips in the lifeboat fired a few shots at a small U.S. Navy vessel that had approached, a U.S. military official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The official said the U.S. sailors did not return fire, the Navy vessel turned away and no one was hurt. He said the vessel had not been attempting a rescue. The pirates are believed armed with pistols and AK-47 assault rifles.

Phillips jumped out of the lifeboat Friday and tried to swim for his freedom but was recaptured when a pirate fired an automatic weapon at or near him, according to U.S. Defense Department officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk about the unfolding operations.

"When I spoke to the crew, they won't consider it done when they board a plane and come home," Maersk President John Reinhart said from Norfolk, Virginia before news of Phillips' rescue. "They won't consider it done until the captain is back, nor will we."

In Phillips' hometown, the Rev. Charles Danielson of the St. Thomas Church said before the news broke that the congregation would continue to pray for Phillips and his family, who are members, and he would encourage "people to find hope in the triumph of good over evil."

Reinhart said he spoke with Phillips' wife, Andrea, who is surrounded by family and two company employees who were sent to support her.

"She's a brave woman," Reinhart said. "And she has one favor to ask: 'Do what you have to do to bring Richard home safely.' That means don't make a mistake, folks. We have to be perfect in our execution."

[darrels joy]

Ship Captain Rescued From Somali Pirates

Sunday , April 12, 2009




American sea Captain Richard Phillips was safely rescued Sunday from four Somali pirates, who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a U.S. ntelligence official said.

Three of the pirates were killed and one was in custody after what appeared to be a swift firefight off the Somali coast, the official said.
Initial reports indicate Phillips jumped overboard for a second time and the military was able to take advantage of the situation.

Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vt., was transported to the USS Bainbridge nearby.

The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Asked whether the pirate arrested will now be brought to the U.S. for prosecution, the Department of Justice told FOX News, they will be "reviewing the evidence and other issues to determine whether to seek prosecution in the United States."

Maersk Line Limited President and CEO John Reinhart said in a news release that the U.S. government informed the company around 1:30 p.m.
Sunday that Phillips had been rescued. He was to hold a media briefing later Sunday.

Reinhart said the company called Phillips' wife, Andrea, to tell her the news. He said the crew of the Maersk Alabama was "jubilant" when they received word that Phillips was safe.

The rest of the crew and the ship had made it safely to a port in Kenya.
A government official and others in Somali with knowledge of the situation had reported hours earlier that negotiations for Phillips' release had broken down.

Talks began Thursday with the captain of the USS Bainbridge talking to the pirates under instruction from FBI hostage negotiators on board the U.S. destroyer.

U.S. warships and helicopters stalked the lifeboat holding Phillips and his four Somali captors Sunday, while his crew briefed FBI agents about how they fought off the pirates who boarded their ship, the Maersk Alabama.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,514719,00.html

[SuperScout]

I praise God for the courageous men who made this rescue operation a success. Maybe the thugs of Somalia will get the message, that they too can become carb bait very easily.

To complete this cycle, I hope the mothership of these thugs has been identified, and also submitted to the Deep.

[darrels joy]

(CNN) -- The American captain of a cargo ship held hostage by pirates jumped overboard from the lifeboat where he was being held, and U.S. Navy SEALs shot and killed three of his four captors, according to a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation.
Capt. Richard Phillips escaped from pirates holding him in a lifeboat, a U.S. official said Sunday.

Capt. Richard Phillips was helped out of the water off the Somali coast and is uninjured and in good condition, the official said. He was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge, a nearby naval warship.

At the time of the shootings, the fourth pirate was aboard the Bainbridge negotiating with officials, the source said. That pirate was taken into custody.

Maersk Line Limited, owner of the cargo ship that Phillips captained, issued a statement saying it was informed at 1:30 p.m. by the U.S. government that he had been rescued. John Reinhart, president and CEO, called Phillips' wife, Andrea, to tell her the good news.

Crew members from the ship, the Maersk Alabama, were "jubilant" when they received word, the statement says.

"We are all absolutely thrilled to learn that Richard is safe and will be re-united with his family," Reinhart said. "Maersk Line Limited is deeply grateful to the Navy, the FBI and so many others for their tireless efforts to secure Richard's freedom."

"We look forward to welcoming him home in the coming days," Reinhart added.

Earlier Sunday, Maersk said the U.S. Navy had informed the company that it had sighted Phillips in the lifeboat where the pirates were holding him.

[39mto39g]

Who ever rescued this guy, Way to go, But why is there still one alive? Our courts don't have enough prisoners?
I was watching a news show and this guy said he would report who and how this rescue happened , as soon as he found out. You know, I just as soon not know, so maybe the next time the who and how are needed it will again be a surprise. And one other thing, he's free again so leave him and his family along and think about all the money the Dems are spending.

Ron

[darrels joy]

President Barack Obama said Phillips had courage that was ''a model for all Americans.''

Obama said he was pleased that Phillips was rescued, adding that the United States needs help from other countries to deal with the threat of piracy and to hold pirates accountable.

The Navy said Phillips was freed at 7:19 p.m. local time. He was taken aboard the Norfolk, Virginia-based USS Bainbridge and then flown to the San Diego-based USS Boxer for the medial exam, 5th Fleet spokesman Lt. Nathan Christensen said.

Christensen said Phillips was now ''resting comfortably.'' The USS Boxer was in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia, Christensen said.

The U.S. did not say if Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was receiving medical care because he had been injured or if he was being treated for exposure after his ordeal.

U.S. officials said a pirate who had been involved in negotiations to free Phillips but who was not on the lifeboat during the rescue was in military custody. FBI spokesman John Miller said that would change as the situation became ''more of a criminal issue than a military issue.''

Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said prosecutors were looking at ''evidence and other issues'' to determine whether to bring a case in the United States. The pirate could face a life sentence if convicted, officials said.

[sn-e3]

here is my post from the other post somebody must have read it. go figgure. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was on the ships landing party on a fletcher class destroyer during vietnam we were all highly trained on the use of all our small arms up to the .50's so if things haven't did a complete 180 I would say some mamby pamby politico has put a dapper on saving the captian. PS with just a helo unrap a coupe squad's of seal's could be deployed to the destroyer. WE have to draw a line in the sea and kill anyone who dares cross it. My stance is the pirates bring in reinforcements thats a declaration of war and should be delt with as such. Sorry to the un armed hostages but if we don't act harshly the war is over before it starts.

[Packo]

Looks like the Navy is monitoring our messages! Glad we could help them.

Way to go Navy!

Pack

[reconeil]

Here's a little something else to think about or just kick-around.

Does anyone honestly believe that any SWAT teams in America would function as well with
their Difficult Tasks (at best), jobs or requirements,...if Mayor of City or Town was the only
one whom could actually give: "The Green Light" for taking out any Dangerous Killers on scene?
Of Course Not.

So then,...what-in-the-hell logic or sense is there to always doing such for The U.S. Military?

For: "Black Box" Nuclear Strike type scenarios one can certainly understand Presidential OKs
being needed from a politician. Whereas for military on sight conflicts or piracies unfolding,
waiting for political permission to do what best for American Citizens' well-beings,..............
is actually quite stupidly obscene.

Letting still undefeated enemies or pirates knowing exact methods or tactics of how America
quite rightfully whipped them THIS TIME,...will never be too Nationally Bright, EITHER.

Hey,...granted one most certainly should never naively or stupidly: "Love thin enemy".
But,...at least: "Respect your enemy" enough to not think them basically all morons whom
never have any memories of defeat or failures, whatsoever.

Cavalierly don't: "Respect your enemy",...and more than likely such will eventually pop up
somewhere and bite-you-on-the-butt, and no doubt QUITE SEVERELY to-boot.
Amen and/or: "So it is written" Bros.

Neil

[39mto39g]

Obama came out with a statement of support for the Navy crew that rescued the Capt, But did you notice it was after he was rescued. Obama said he gave the go ahead, But when did he give it, seems to me that it was after it was over. I guess just in case the Navy screwed up. Sorry Obama, Didn't happen, hasn't happened , ain't never going to happen. The only screw up , if you can call it that is letting the 4th pirate live. Now some taxpayers have to feed him and some court has to here his story and then house him, When One more bullet would have ended this with a hammer. Now it's the Kina courts that will deal with the little jerk.
If Obama gave the go ahead before the pirates were shot, Well good for Obama. Now take the dead guys and hang them in sight of the Pirates home ground, and just let them be bird food.

Ron