The American cargo vessel Maersk Alabama, hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean in the spring of 2009, has again been targeted in roughly the same ocean shipping lanes, according to information provided to CNN.
A newsletter published by the London-based International Maritime Organization says the Alabama was approached by "five pirates armed with AK-47s in a skiff" as the ship was sailing off Somalia on September 29.
In April 2009, the Alabama was attacked and boarded by Somali pirates in an ocean drama that drew headlines around the world. In that incident, U.S. Navy SEALs finally rescued the ship's captain, Richard Phillips, while he was held hostage in a lifeboat not far from the Alabama.
Phillips was initially hailed as a hero for his actions in exchanging himself for the safety of his crew. Later, many of those crew members told CNN that Phillips had ignored several explicit warnings that urged him to stay away from the shipping lanes where the attack took place.
Phillips returned to sea about a year after that attack and was not reassigned to the Alabama. |
