Everyone please pray for the safety of Captain Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama. The living conditions of a lifeboat are hard to describe. There is plenty of food and water for five persons, but engine fuel for only 24 hours and no comfort. It’s a Mexican Standoff right now, but I expect the situation will simply wear the pirates down and they will surrender.

I sailed on ships for 24 years and held a Captain's license myself (but started by washing dishes). I have never been so proud to have been part of the United States Merchant Marines.

Richard Pryor once said that the Japanese attacked us in WWII because they'd come over here, gone to school in California and the Northeast...and thought we were all that "soft". But what they didn't know was that there were some boys down in Alabama they had to keep on chains...perhaps the ships name "wore off" on the crew...

God bless the crew, and keep the captain safe.

I understand there has been more than 20 incidents of piracy there since January, been praying for a quick and safe resolution to all of them. This time it happens to be an American ship, the Somali pirates don’t discriminate apparently. Somalia is a desperate situation for a lot of the population…….many do not see any other way of obtaining money.

But what they didn't know was that there were some boys down in Alabama they had to keep on chains...perhaps the ships name "wore off" on the crew...
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Their decendents are on the Maersk and were on flight 92. Not all Americans will lay on their backs and wet like a scared puppies - with or without weapons to protect and defend.
God bless captian and crew.

Well, regardless of where you might be from, becoming a seafarer can toughen you up a bit.

Its nice to see the Capt. freed, even if it was after well perforating 3 pirates. Perhaps in the future some very well armed private ships can cruise the area portraying themselves as tourists or fisherman and confronting attacking pirates with superior firepower. They may think twice about whether its worth it. Hemingway did the same during WW2 when he tried to lure Nazi ships and U-Boats near his well armed private fishing boat called the Pilar. I think it would be highly advisable for US and French transport ships to better arm themselves in the future or steer clear of the area.

I was so relieved to see that the captain was rescued. His willingness to sacrifice himself for the safety of his crew was humbling. He is a true hero in every sense of the word.

I read that the U.S. ship that was hijacked was carrying food aid for the Somali people. To think that the pirates would hijack a ship carrying food meant to save their fellow countrymen and women from starvation makes me just sick. And now they're threatening to retaliate and shoot more hostages in the future?!?

*sigh*

The way I read it, the SEAL snipers used exactly 3 bullets. Amazing shooting, and commendable bravery on the part of the captain for giving himself up to save his crew, and to the SEALs who freed him.

I didn't have any captain's papers (although a couple of my friends did), but I did put in some time at sea.

Fishing draggers out of Gloucester , tug boats from Boston, and lobster boats out of Newport (RI).


(yup, that's me a looong time ago).

Glad the Captain and crew are safe, hats off to them and to the Navy SEALs.

Gloucester! When I was in the Coast Guard, we dreaded assistance calls from Gloucester boats. Was there any weather that would keep them in port?

I sailed to Somalia 15 years ago. If the Secretary of State wants to place blame for the situation we are in now, she can turn to her husband.

Piano World, when I first saw your picture, I thought you were carrying a marimba...