Special – 12 April 2009

April 12, 2009

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

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USN – master rescued, pirates captured/killed

The US Navy issued a news release stating that US naval forces rescued Captain Richard Phillips, the master of the US-flag container ship MAERSK ALABAMA. Of the four pirates holding him hostage on the drifting lifeboat, one has been captured and three have reportedly been killed. Captain Phillips was first taken to the destroyer USS BAINBRIDGE, which had been attempting the scene since shortly after the incident commenced. He was then taken to the USS BOXER, flagship of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, where he contacted his family, received a routine medical evaluation, and is resting comfortably. Maersk issued a news release expressing its gratitude to the US Navy, the FBI, and to so many others for their tireless efforts to secure the Captain’s freedom. Note: After some tense days, the hostage-taking has ended. We can now look forward to a trial of the surviving (suspected) pirate, hopefully in the United States. We should also anticipate that the piracy situation will finally receive from the US Government the serious attention that it has deserved for so long. (4/12/09).

If you have questions regarding the above items, please contact the editor:

Dennis L. Bryant

Bryant’s Maritime Blog

4845 SW 91^st Way
Gainesville, FL 32608-8135

USA

1-352-692-5493
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© Dennis L. Bryant – April 2009

Redistribution permitted with attribution