U.S. Navy Arrives on Scene of Hijacked American Ship

Fox News ^ | 4/8/2009

[tsmith130]

The U.S. is closing in on pirates that hijacked a U.S.-flagged ship off the coast of Somalia. According to a spokesman for the owner of the Maersk Alabama, which had been hijacked by pirates before American crew members were able to regain control of the vessel Wednesday, a U.S. Navy warship arrived at the scene Wednesday night.

The ship's captain still is being held hostage on a smaller boat.

Family members said Capt. Richard Phillips surrendered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of the crew. "What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," said Gina Coggio, 29, half sister of Phillips' wife. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Wednesday for world action to "end the scourge of piracy" as U.S. warships raced to confront the pirates.

"We are deeply concerned and we are following it very closely," Clinton said. "Specifically, we are now focused on this particular act of piracy and the seizure of a ship that carries 21 American citizens.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Your concern for the innocents who die is touching. You are a real brilliant person, aren’t you?

[Gone_Postal]

my point made ....

[Doogle]

why do not every vessel have a cabinet full of Uzis? Some scoped .308 rifles ? a box of grenades ?

...international law...but otherwise most ports won't let ships with armed sailors come into ports....

[21twelve]

I think that was his point. Clinton and Obama and the rest of the liberals don’t constitute “America”. It is folks like these.

And I have a real difficult time calling Obama an “American”.

[peeps36]

Why don’t these ships carry weapons if they know they have to pass through this area? Even a few high powered rifles with good scopes could have helped them avoid being hijacked. I don’t know why the owner would announce to the world that the ships never carry weapons.

[Ramius]

"What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," said Gina Coggio, 29, half sister of Phillips' wife. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain."

Big brass ones, this guy. Prayers for a good resolution.

[Doogle]

personally...I’d like to see an F-15 or a Cobra gunship find that pirate mothership

[tsmith130]

Big brass ones, this guy. Prayers for a good resolution.

I'll say...and ditto on the prayers too.

[usmcobra]

Cobra gunships have a some what limited range.

[CindyDawg]

Well, something sank the pirate ship. It seems strange to me that the pirates would sink their own vessel.

[FightThePower!]

They got elected, so they represent the majority.

[Gone_Postal]

good points..
I'm ready ..been ready...first we need to take back our country then we need to unleash the dogs of war on any, that even attempts harm to this great nation domestic or foreign

[Doogle]

just saying, I’d like to see it....*smiles*...a few hellfire missiles....besides a preditor or two in the area would do wonders

[GSP.FAN]

I was listening to some guy being interviewed on Fox,he said they carry high pressure water cannons,but no lethal weapons..
It might be something to do with insurance?

Do not bring a water cannon to a gunfight.

[Fresh Wind]

why do not every vessel have a cabinet full of Uzis?

I understand Israeli vessels have that and more. Pirates know not to mess with them.

[FightThePower!]

“I was listening to some guy being interviewed on Fox,he said they carry high pressure water cannons,but no lethal weapons..
It might be something to do with insurance?”

Then congress should pass a law that that every US flagged ship must carry fire arms which it can use to defend itself.

[meandog]

Muslim pirates? I'm at your service!

[sam_paine]

“We are deeply concerned and we are following it very closely,” Clinton said.

Saying out loud: they are following, not leading.

[Doctor Raoul]

If they harm the Captain, no quarter.