Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Update: Navy Seals Rescue Captain, 3 Pirates Dead
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 12, 2009
Modified Apr 12, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 12, 2009
Modified Apr 12, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Update
: Maersk Alabama container ship Captain Richard Phillips was rescued by Navy Seals. CNN reports, "The American cargo ship captain held hostage by pirates jumped overboard Sunday from the lifeboat where he was being held, and U.S. Navy SEALs shot and killed three of his four captors, according to a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation." Phillips was taken to the destroyer U.S.S. Bainbridge and "was then flown by helicopter to another Navy ship, and has contacted his family and received a routine medical examination," according to the NY Times.
The Maersk line spoke on behalf of the captain's family, “This is truly a very happy Easter for the Phillips family. They are all just so happy and relieved.” And President Obama said was happy that Phillips was rescued and called his courage was a "model for all Americans".
Earlier: With their captain still a hostage of four Somali pirates on a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean, the crew of container ship Maersk Alabama told reporters, "Captain Phillips is a hero," after the ship docked in Kenya. The crew had managed to retake the ship from the pirates who attacked them in the Horn of Africa, but Captain Richard Phillips (pictured) offered himself as a hostage to prevent violence (the pirates had AK-47s). Somali elders were attempting to help negotiate with U.S. authorities, but the NY Times reports that the discussions have broken down, because "American officials insisted that the pirates be arrested" while the elders have refused. The pirates, who are demanding $2 million as well, also fired upon a Navy vessel that tried to approach the lifeboat yesterday; the Naval ship did not fire back.
Tagged
Captain Richard Phillips
pirates
Somali
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .