By Anonymous 1035 Days Ago
Description: Captain Richard Phillips has now been rescued when American naval snipers opened fire on the pirates holding him in a lifeboat, killing three outright. Mr Obama directly authorised Sunday's operation off Somalia's coast. Capt Phillips is now resting after his five days of captivity as he is de-briefed aboard a US navy ship, the USS Boxer. A fourth pirate, who was on board another American vessel negotiating with US officials when the captain was rescued, is in US custody. The pirates hijacked Capt Phillips' ship, the Maersk Alabama, which was carrying food aid, in the Indian Ocean last Wednesday. Capt Phillips told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men. He was then taken hostage in an enclosed lifeboat that was soon shadowed by US warships and a helicopter. At a news conference on Monday in the Kenyan port of Mombasa, the Maersk Alabama's 19 crew thanked the US Navy for rescuing them and paid tribute to the courage of their captain.
