Pirate Reinforcements Face-Down U.S. Warships: Captain Phillips Tries to Escape

by Maggie at Maggie's Notebook

A report out of Nairobi, Kenya this morning says more U.S. Naval reinforcements are heading toward Captain Richard Phillips sitting in that lifeboat held hostage by "pirates." But the story is that "pirate reinforcements with an international gallery of hostages" - also "rushed toward the spot where four Somali bandits" are holding an American citizen. And the terrorists are not fearing American warships. Updates will added to the bottom of this article as they are available.

Captain Richard Phillips

According to this report, fellow-pirates plan to up the ante. They plan to "link up with their colleagues," and use their "Russian, German, Filipino and other hostages captured IN RECENT DAYS as human shields.

What has happened to America, the Super Power, who allows sea terrorists from a Muslim Nation to hold us hostage?

This Captain, who offered his life in exchange for the lives of his crew, tried to escape by jumping overboard early this morning. He didn't make it, and was hauled back into the boat in some fashion. Make no doubt about it, this man's life has been in mortal danger since the moment his ship was taken, and especially once in the lifeboat with the terrorists.

We took comfort in the American warship that arrived. We should not have. I listened to a retired American General interviewed by FOX News just as the warship arrived. It was still dark outside. He was confident that when light dawned and the pirates saw that magnificent warship looming, they would give back the Captain. Right. We all know that America no longer works that way.

There is only one option guaranteed to work for this man's safety: Snipers take out the pirates - three bullets at the same time. We know it can be done. What about Navy Seals?

I know what every man aboard the Naval ship wants to do. I know what every American military member around the world wants to do, and most of the time can successfully do, but our politically correct, terrorism-denying, political leadership has succumbed to previously un-known, un-American attitudes.

The ship, the Maersk Alabama, was traveling through the Gulf of Aden at the time of the assault. Somalia on one side, Yemen on the other - one of the most dangerous areas of the world for ships from the free world. The ship was carrying humanitarian relief supplies to refugees.

Pirates are not fearing American warships - not one warship, not even multiple warships. They have hostages, after all. We have nothing but warships impotent to do anything.

Update 4/10/09: Two reports from Reuters:

Quoting Reuters:

(1) "Reached by Reuters via satellite phone, the pirates on the lifeboat sounded desperate. "We are surrounded by warships and don't have time to talk," one said. "Please pray for us."

(2) The attacks have occurred for years but hit unprecedented levels in 2008. Pirates hold 18 vessels with a total of 267 hostages, many of them from the Philippines, according to the Kenya-based East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme.

Also, FOX News is reporting Navy Seals are onboard the warship.

Update 4/10/09 7:35 p.m. EST: In addition to the U.S.S. Bainbridge, an amphibious assault ship, the U.S.S. Boxer is in the area, as is the U.S. Halyburton, a guided-missile frigate with helicopters.