Navy Rescues Capt. Richard Phillips from Pirates

Four Somali pirates had been holding Capt. Richard Phillips aboard one of the Maersk Alabama's lifeboats. The Maersk Alabama itself had gone on and eventually reached port in Mombasa. Meanwhile naval vessels including the U.S.S. Bainbridge, a destroyer, watched over the events.

One pirate had surrendered early this morning, meaning only three pirates were still onboard the lifeboat. All three were killed during a firefight.

Alison McColl, an official with the ship’s owner, Maersk Line, Limited, said:

“This is truly a very happy Easter for the Phillips family. They are all just so happy and relieved. Maersk Line, Limited is deeply grateful to the Navy, the F.B.I. and so many others for their tireless efforts to secure Richard’s freedom."

There are conflicting reports of the events of the rescue. The New York Times states that the Navy opened fire this morning, killing the three remaining pirates. However, CNN reports that Richard Phiilips again jumped overboard (recall the earlier escape attempt) from the lifeboat where he was being held, and U.S. Navy SEALs shot and killed his remaining three captors.

Either way, Phillips was rescued at 7:19PM local time, and the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet said Phillips was resting comfortably on a U.S. warship after receiving a medical exam.