Pirate Boat Drifts Toward Coast

Defiant pirate captain threatens to target American shipping

(NEWSER) - Somali pirates have sworn to avenge their colleagues killed in the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips yesterday. A pirate commander told AFP that the men had been killed after agreeing to hand over Phillips without ransom, and vowed that American citizens traveling at sea in Somali waters—and further afield—would be hunted down and shown no mercy. More»

Previously-captured boats carry 54 international hostages

(NEWSER) - As bandits hold a US captain on a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean, their pirate colleagues are rushing to their aid with an international gallery of hostages, the AP reports. The bandits apparently fear being shot or arrested if they hand over the captain and are hoping to get support from their colleagues, who are using some 54 Russian, German, Filipino and other hostages as human shields. More»

Family say hostage captain's sense of humor could keep him alive

(NEWSER) - The American captain held hostage by Somali pirates jumped into the ocean last night and tried to swim to a nearby Navy destroyer, but pirates swam after him and pulled him back, CNN reports. He was not believed to be harmed in the attempt, a US official said. The four bandits, meanwhile, told Reuters by satellite phone they would fight back if the Navy strikes. "We are not afraid of the Americans," said one. More»

(NEWSER) - As FBI hostage negotiators joined the effort to end the standoff with Somali pirates over a captive American captain, the Maersk Alabama got under way today, bound for its original destination, the AP reports. An FBI spokesman said the bureau was “fully engaged” with the Navy in strategizing how to extract Capt. Richard Phillips without resorting to combat. More»

Arrives in Kenya where plane will take him home

(AP) - The US sea captain held hostage for five days by Somali pirates reached land today, with the destroyer that rescued him docking to the strains of "Sweet Home Alabama," hours after his crew reunited with their families back home. Capt. Richard Phillips arrived in Mombasa harbor aboard the USS Bainbridge, which blared out the Lynyrd Skynyrd hit and hoisted the US flag as it arrived. More»