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Pirate stand-off over US hostage Pirate stand-off over US hostage
(about 2 hours later)
Negotiations are continuing for the release of an American captain held by Somali pirates in a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa.Negotiations are continuing for the release of an American captain held by Somali pirates in a lifeboat in the Indian Ocean off the Horn of Africa.
He was taken from cargo ship Maersk Alabama after it was briefly seized by pirates a day earlier. He was taken from the cargo ship Maersk Alabama after it was briefly seized by pirates a day earlier.
A US warship on anti-pirate patrol in the high-risk area sailed to the ship.A US warship on anti-pirate patrol in the high-risk area sailed to the ship.
It remains unclear what the pirates want, but maritime sources say it could be a ransom or compensation for their boat which sank during the attack. Maritime sources believe the pirates want the warship to withdraw, a ransom for the captain and compensation for a skiff that sank during the attack.
They may also be demanding that the warship retreat beyond the horizon as negotiations continue, says BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste in Nairobi. There is no word on how negotiations are going, but they may take some time, says the BBC East Africa correspondent Peter Greste in Nairobi. The lifeboat - from the Maersk - is equipped for more than a week at sea.
The stand-off with the pirates could take some time, he adds. The lifeboat is equipped for more than a week at sea. However, a spokesman for the ship's owners, Maersk, said the lifeboat was out of fuel.
But a spokesman for the ship's owners, Maersk, said the lifeboat was out of fuel. "The boat is dead in the water," Kevin Speers told Associated Press Radio.
"The boat is dead in the water," Kevin Speers told the Associated Press Radio. class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7991512.stm"> Is there a 19th Century solution?
The USS Bainbridge remains close to the scene of the stand-off "It is floating near the Alabama. It's my understanding that it is floating freely."
"It's floating near the Alabama. It's my understanding that it's floating freely."
The Maersk Alabama, carrying food aid destined for Somalia and Uganda, was taken about 500km (311 miles) off Somalia's coast on Wednesday.The Maersk Alabama, carrying food aid destined for Somalia and Uganda, was taken about 500km (311 miles) off Somalia's coast on Wednesday.
At least six other patrol vessels are said to be heading towards it.At least six other patrol vessels are said to be heading towards it.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the government was following the situation very closely and urged the world to act to end the "scourge" of piracy.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the government was following the situation very closely and urged the world to act to end the "scourge" of piracy.
There were 50 hijacks amid 130 incidents last year by Somali pirates, but this was the first time Americans had been seized.There were 50 hijacks amid 130 incidents last year by Somali pirates, but this was the first time Americans had been seized.
'Ransom''Ransom'
Earlier, US media organisations telephoned members of the ship's crew to get details of their struggle against the pirates.Earlier, US media organisations telephoned members of the ship's crew to get details of their struggle against the pirates.
Second mate Ken Quinn told US TV network CNN how the crew had captured one of the pirates and kept him tied up for 12 hours.Second mate Ken Quinn told US TV network CNN how the crew had captured one of the pirates and kept him tied up for 12 hours.
Capt Phillips' wife says he was aware of increased pirate activity Capt Phillips's wife says he was aware of increased pirate activity
As they attempted to negotiate the release of their captain, who has been named as Richard Phillips, they freed the captive pirate.As they attempted to negotiate the release of their captain, who has been named as Richard Phillips, they freed the captive pirate.
But the gang refused to free Capt Phillips.But the gang refused to free Capt Phillips.
"Right now they want to hold our captain for ransom, and we are trying to get him back," second mate Quinn told CNN."Right now they want to hold our captain for ransom, and we are trying to get him back," second mate Quinn told CNN.
"So now we're just trying to offer them whatever we can - food. But it's not working too good.""So now we're just trying to offer them whatever we can - food. But it's not working too good."
He said the attackers had fled in a lifeboat and crew members were using radios to keep in contact with Capt Phillips.He said the attackers had fled in a lifeboat and crew members were using radios to keep in contact with Capt Phillips.
Family members said Capt Phillips had offered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of his crew.Family members said Capt Phillips had offered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of his crew.
"What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," Gina Coggio, his wife's half-sister, told the AP news agency. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain.""What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," Gina Coggio, his wife's half-sister, told the AP news agency. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain."
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Maersk confirmed much of second mate Quinn's account.In a statement issued on Wednesday, Maersk confirmed much of second mate Quinn's account.
"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," Maersk said."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," Maersk said.
"The other members of the crew are safe and no injuries have been reported.""The other members of the crew are safe and no injuries have been reported."
Surge in hijackingsSurge in hijackings
The ship was first attacked by several pirate boats in the early hours of Wednesday.The ship was first attacked by several pirate boats in the early hours of Wednesday.
It is not clear how many attackers were involved, but accounts from the sailors on the Maersk Alabama suggest that four boarded the vessel.It is not clear how many attackers were involved, but accounts from the sailors on the Maersk Alabama suggest that four boarded the vessel.
Maritime officials said the ship had taken all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded.Maritime officials said the ship had taken all possible evasive action before it reported that the pirates had boarded.
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).
After a lull earlier this year, this was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in the past week.After a lull earlier this year, this was the sixth ship seized off Somalia in the past week.
The attacks are threatening to destabilise one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.The attacks are threatening to destabilise one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.