Captain Richard Phillips rescued
Norfolk, Va., April 12, 2009:
Maersk Line, Limited was informed by the U.S. government at 1330 EDT today that Captain Richard Phillips has been rescued. John Reinhart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maersk Line, Limited, called Captain Phillips’ wife, Andrea, to tell her the good news. The crew of the Maersk Alabama was jubilant when they received word Mr. Reinhart said, “We are all absolutely thrilled to learn that Richard is safe and will be re-united with his family.
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. We join Richard’s family, his crew and his colleagues ashore in celebrating this wonderful news. We look forward to welcoming him home in the coming days.”
The primary contact for information at Maersk Line, Limited is Kevin Speers at +1 (757) 531-7873. Please note this new telephone number.
Maersk Line Limited has established an email address where concerned persons from around the world may send messages of support for the captain, crew and families of the Maersk Alabama. The address is: maerskalabamasupport@maerskline-usa.com
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UPDATE V: Maersk Alabama attacked by pirates
April 9, 2009
Maersk Alabama Situation: 1300 EDT Update
Norfolk, Va., 9 April 2009: The situation involving the Maersk Alabama and her crew continues to evolve. All of the crewmembers except for the ship’s captain are now safely aboard Maersk Alabama. Maersk Line, Limited remains focused on two goals: to secure the safe release of the ship’s captain and to transit the Maersk Alabama safely to her next port of call, where the crew can be repatriated to the U.S. and reunited with their families. For security reasons, we are not able to share details on the ship’s compliment or schedule, but we can confirm that the ship has left the area. We continue to communicate with crewmembers’ families on the status of their loved ones.
USS Bainbridge, a U.S. Navy Destroyer, is on-site and in contact with the lifeboat where the Alabama’s captain is being held hostage. We continue working closely with the Navy and other government agencies to affect a resolution of this situation. Our primary concern remains the safe return of the captain and our latest communications with the ship indicate that he is unharmed.
We will continue to provide further updates as they become available.
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UPDATE III: Maersk Alabama attacked by pirates
April 8, 2009
We are able to confirm that the crew of the Maersk Alabama is now in control of the ship. The armed hijackers who boarded this ship earlier today have departed, however they are currently holding one member of the ship's crew as a hostage. The other members of the crew are safe and no injuries have been reported. We are working closely with the U.S. military and other government agencies to continue to respond to this situation as it develops further and will provide additional information as we are able.
Please contact Maersk Line Limited for further press inquiries:
Maersk Line Limited (switchboard): + 1 757 857 4800
http://www.maersklinelimited.com
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This morning, at around 05.00 UTC, Maersk Alabama, a 1,100 TEU container vessel, was attacked by pirates and presumed hijacked. The US flagged vessel has a crew of 20 US nationals and is owned and operated by Maersk Line, Limited in the US.
The vessel is deployed in Maersk Line's East Africa service network and was enroute to Mombasa, when it was attacked approximately 500 kilometres of the Somalia coast. Our initial concern is to ensure proper support of the crew and assistance to their families.
A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S, press release