9781422285107

and millions of dollars of food and humanitarian goods for the people of nearby Kenya. Roaring up to the ship in fast-attack boats, four Somali pirates boarded the vessel armed with AK-47s . After a battle with the crew, the pirates abandoned the ship by climbing into one of the motorized life- boats with the Maersk Alabama’s captain, Richard Phillips, as hostage. Before being captured, Phillips sent out a mayday signal that was received by the USS Bain- bridge , under the command of Commander Frank Castellano. The U.S. Navy destroyer had been in the area and, fortunately, had a Somali interpreter on board. Traveling at top speed, it took a day for the Bainbridge to reach the area where the hijack- ing had taken place. When the Bainbridge arrived, it bombard- ed the hijacked ship with bright lights and loud sirens. In the confusion, Marines boarded the Maersk Alabama and freed the crew. However, Castellano soon realized that Captain Phillips was not on board. He had another rescue to arrange.

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