US captain tells of pirate rescue

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A US cargo ship captain held hostage for five days by Somali pirates on a lifeboat says he did not realise he was being rescued as gunshots rang out.

Captain Richard Phillips thought a row among his captors had turned violent, until he heard an American accent.

He dived into the well of the boat when he heard the shots and kept his head as low he could, he told US network MSNBC.

Snipers on a US warship towing the boat fired after seeing a pirate pointing a gun at Capt Phillips, the navy said.

US Navy spokesman Vice-Adm William Gortney said the snipers made a split-second decision to shoot the three pirates dead because Capt Richard Phillips' life appeared in "imminent danger".

The 53-year-old was not hurt in the rescue on 12 April. A fourth pirate surrendered.

'No idea'

In the interview with MSNBC's Today programme, Capt Phillips said he did not think he would survive the kidnapping ordeal.

"It's still surreal," he said. "I didn't think I'd ever get out of that boat."

Recalling his rescue, Capt Phillips said: "I just wanted to get as low as I could.

Captain Phillips initially thought a row had broken out among his captors

"For me it felt like five minutes. It was probably seven, eight seconds. I have no idea."

The lifeboat, which had no power, was attached on a tow line about 100ft (27m) behind the USS Bainbridge after the pirates had accepted an offer to be moved out of rough seas.

One pirate was seen through a window pointing an AK-47 at the back of Capt Phillips, who was tied up.

The Navy snipers then opened fire, killing three of the pirates.

Navy officials then sailed to the lifeboat in a small inflatable craft and rescued Capt Philips.

He was unhurt despite being just a few metres away from his captors during the shooting.

He was then taken on board the Bainbridge, and later moved to the USS Boxer, where he underwent a medical examination. He has now returned to the US.