This Sunday, April 12, 2009, photo released by the U.S. Navy, shows Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, standing alongside Cmdr. Frank Castellano, commanding officer of the USS Bainbridge after being rescued by U.S. Naval Forces off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy / AP)

The news is streaming across all parts of the media now, so I figured I’d close the loop here at the Maritime as well.  CNN has reported that Capt. Phillips is free, and on board a U.S. Navy warship.  Apparently he jumped into the water, while a Navy Seal team shot and killed 3 of the 4 pirates in the lifeboat.  The fourth pirate was apparently on board the USS Bainbridge attempting to negotiate and is now in custody.

If only more ship hijacking cases could end as successfully as this one.  Despite all of the rhetoric with the ongoing piracy problem, I think the U.S. Navy deserves a bravo zulu for its handling of this particular case.  In the coming days, the analysis of the piracy problem will continue, and it will be important for the members of the maritime community to keep it at the forefront now that the hostage situation is resolved.  I hope to publish some more lengthy and detailed posts that discuss some of the proposed solutions to piracy and the debate that has been actively flourishing since this incident began last week.

Additional article from the New York Times.