Captain of Maersk Alabama remains a hostage (Updated)
Capt. Richard Phillips, of Underhill, Vt., seen here in a photo released by his family Wednesday, was taken hostage by the Somali pirates.
Here is the latest directly from Maersk:
Maersk Alabama Situation: 1300 EDT Update
Norfolk, Va., 9 April 2009: The situation involving the Maersk Alabama and her crew continues to evolve. All of the crewmembers except for the ship’s captain are now safely aboard Maersk Alabama. Maersk Line, Limited remains focused on two goals: to secure the safe release of the ship’s captain and to transit the Maersk Alabama safely to her next port of call, where the crew can be repatriated to the U.S. and reunited with their families. For security reasons, we are not able to share details on the ship’s compliment or schedule, but we can confirm that the ship has left the area. We continue to communicate with crewmembers’ families on the status of their loved ones.
USS Bainbridge, a U.S. Navy Destroyer, is on-site and in contact with the lifeboat where the Alabama’s captain is being held hostage. We continue working closely with the Navy and other government agencies to affect a resolution of this situation. Our primary concern remains the safe return of the captain and our latest communications with the ship indicate that he is unharmed.
We will continue to provide further updates as they become available.
Please contact Maersk Line Limited for further press inquiries:
Maersk Line Limited + 1 703-351-9200
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Previous update from Maersk:
Maersk Alabama Situation: 0600 EDT Update
Norfolk, Va., 9 April 2009: The current situation involving the Maersk Alabama has remained much the same throughout the night. The ship’s crewmembers have been accounted for and are safely aboard the vessel. However, the ship’s captain remains in the custody of the pirates, who departed in one of the ship’s encapsulated life boats on April 8.
Our main concern remains the safe return of the captain and our latest communications with the ship indicate that he is unharmed. We are working closely with all involved government agencies, particularly the U.S. Navy, which has arrived on the scene and is taking the lead in working toward the captain’s release.
We continue communicate with crewmembers’ families on the status of their loved ones. Family members of current Maersk Alabama crewmembers seeking additional information can contact MLL’s Family Assistance Hotline at 1-888-354-5274.
We will continue to provide further updates as they become available.
Please contact Maersk Line Limited for further press inquiries:
Maersk Line Limited + 1 703-351-9200
The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Bainbridge is on-scene in vicinity of the lifeboat with Capt Phillips and the pirates. According to reports, additional warships are on the way. The lifeboat has run out of fuel, and is dead in the water. This will severely limit the pirates options. With nowhere to go, and no support, the pirates only viable option will be to surrender.
Wall Street Journal reported,
Families of crew members waited nervously Wednesday afternoon for word about the standoff. Capt. Phillips is a veteran sailor who graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1979. “He’s a pretty easygoing guy, a good storyteller,” says Lea Coggio, his sister-in-law. “He’s serious about his job, he loves his job. He’s been all over the world.” Capt. Phillips’s wife was “a little bit overwhelmed” and couldn’t talk, Ms. Coggio said.
Meanwhile, most of the country is learning about the Merchant Marine and the incredible jobs merchant mariners do at sea. Many people who have never been interested in ships are captivated by the story they are seeing across the newswires. The Maersk Alabama incident has brought the U.S. Merchant Marine onto the very desk of the President.
