April 13. 2009

Cmdr. Frank Castellano (Navy USS Bainbridge) and captain Richard Phillips (Maersk)

After days of being held hostage by teenage Somali pirates with guns, cargo ship captain Richard Phillips, was rescued by the US Navy. Three of the pirates were killed by Navy shooters and one was taken into custody.

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U.S. Navy rescues captain, kills Somali pirates

Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:52pm EDT - MOGADISHU (Reuters) - The U.S. Navy shot dead three Somali pirates and rescued cargo ship captain Richard Phillips on Sunday from a lifeboat off the coast of Somalia where he was being held captive, ending a five-day standoff.

Phillips' life was in danger when Navy snipers aboard a nearby U.S. destroyer shot his Somali captors, freeing him unharmed and killing three of the four pirates who had held him after trying to seize his vessel, the Navy said.

The fourth pirate was in custody.

"I can tell you that he is free and that he is safe," said Navy Lieutenant Commander John Daniels...

"The on-scene commander took it as the captain was in imminent danger and then made that decision (to kill the pirates) and he had the authorities to make that decision and he had seconds to make that decision."

President Barack Obama granted the Pentagon's request for standing authority to use appropriate force to save the life of the captain, Gortney said...

http://www.reuters.com