John Reinhart, president of Maersk Line Co., cautiously declined to confirm that the crew had taken the ship back.
A crew of American sailors turned the tables on Somali pirates today who hijacked their ship after a...
A crew of American sailors turned the tables on Somali pirates today who hijacked their ship after a high seas chase - and then were overpowered by the U.S. crew. The ship is crewed by 20 Americans under the command of Capt. Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vt. Also on board is Capt. Shane Murphy, 34,(pictured in the bottom right) the ship's chief officer, according to the Cape Cod Times.
(ABC Photo Illustration)
"We had a communication about an hour and a half ago from the vessel that said the crew was safe," he said about 12:15 p.m.
"He did not say they had taken back the vessel," Reinhart said. "Called to let you know we are all safe right now and then the call was cut off."
He also said that the crew was unarmed and he did not expect them to battle pirates.
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Once boarded, the crew has safe rooms and they're not to take on active engagement because they have no weapons, it would be a risk to their lives," Reinhart said. "They'd be outgunned."
'It would be inappropriate for them to try to be heros," he added. "We want them to come home safely."
Before the ship was recaptured, the hijacking caused international alarm.
The White House issued a statement saying, "The White House is closely monitoring the apparent hijacking of the U.S.-flagged ship in the Indian Ocean and assessing a course of action to resolve this situation. Our top priority is the personal safety of the crew members on board."
"It would be inappropriate for them to try to be heros" Reinhart is a typical corporate wimp.
"did not expect them to battle pirates." These are American seamen... SAILORS by God! They WILL fight the ship with whatever means.