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Hijacked US crew 'retake vessel' Hijacked US crew 'retake vessel'
(30 minutes later)
The US crew of a ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia has retaken control of the vessel, according to Pentagon sources. The US crew of a ship hijacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia has apparently retaken control of the vessel, the Pentagon says.
Unnamed US defence officials said one pirate had been captured by the 20-strong crew of the Maersk Alabama, seized earlier in the Indian Ocean. Defence officials were quoted as saying one pirate had been captured by the 20-strong crew of the Maersk Alabama, seized earlier in the Indian Ocean.
But the vessel's Danish owners, Maersk, said they could not confirm that the vessel had been retaken. But reports suggest the confrontation has not yet ended, and that pirates may still be holding the captain.
It was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in recent days.It was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in recent days.
It is reportedly the first time in 200 years that a US-flagged vessel has been seized by pirates.It is reportedly the first time in 200 years that a US-flagged vessel has been seized by pirates.
The Associated Press quoted a defence official as saying: "The crew is back in control of the ship. Military spokeswoman Lt Col Elizabeth Hibner told Reuters: "It is our understanding that the crew is back in control of the ship."
"It's reported that one pirate is on board under crew control - the other three were trying to flee." The Associated Press later reported that they had spoken to a sailor on board the Maersk Alabama who confirmed that the crew had retaken the vessel and one pirate had been captured.
Reports suggest the other three pirates jumped overboard. But the unnamed sailor told AP that three of the pirates were now holding the captain hostage in a lifeboat.
Crew 'is safe'Crew 'is safe'
Maersk's chief executive, John Reinhart, said he could not confirm that the ship had been retaken but said contact had been made with the crew. The ship's owners, Maersk, said they could not confirm that the ship had been retaken.
But chief executive John Reinhart said contact had been made with the crew.
"We have a crisis centre and we have vessel managers and superintendents that are working with the vessel at all times," he told a news conference."We have a crisis centre and we have vessel managers and superintendents that are working with the vessel at all times," he told a news conference.
"We had a cell-phone call from a member of the crew that said the crew is safe.""We had a cell-phone call from a member of the crew that said the crew is safe."
The ship was attacked by several small boats in the early hours of Wednesday in an incident apparently lasting for about five hours.The ship was attacked by several small boats in the early hours of Wednesday in an incident apparently lasting for about five hours.
Maritime officials said the vessel took all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded.Maritime officials said the vessel took all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded.
More than 130 pirate attacks were reported in 2008, including almost 50 successful hijacks.More than 130 pirate attacks were reported in 2008, including almost 50 successful hijacks.
Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies - last year the firms handed over about £80m (£54m).Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies - last year the firms handed over about £80m (£54m).
The huge increase in frequency of attacks has forced several navies to deploy warships in the Gulf of Aden to protect one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.The huge increase in frequency of attacks has forced several navies to deploy warships in the Gulf of Aden to protect one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.