US Navy ends the pirate standoff

[Pell City Tiger]

3 pirates dead, 1 captured. Captain Phillips unharmed.

Captain jumps overboard, SEALs shoot pirates, official says

(CNN) -- The American captain of a cargo ship held hostage by pirates jumped overboard from the lifeboat where he was being held, and U.S. Navy SEALs shot and killed three of his four captors, according to a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the situation.

 Capt. Richard Phillips was helped out of the water off the Somali coast and is uninjured and in good condition, the official said. He was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge, a nearby naval warship.

At the time of the shootings, the fourth pirate was aboard the USS Bainbridge negotiating with officials, the source said. That pirate was taken into custody.

Maersk Line Limited issued a statement saying it was informed at 1:30 p.m. by the U.S. government that Phillips had been rescued. John Reinhart, president and CEO, called Phillips' wife, Andrea, to tell her the good news.

The ship's crew was "jubilant" when they received word, the statement says.

"We are all absolutely thrilled to learn that Richard is safe and will be re-united with his family," Reinhart said. "Maersk Line Limited is deeply grateful to the Navy, the FBI and so many others for their tireless efforts to secure Richard's freedom."

"We look forward to welcoming him home in the coming days," Reinhart added.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/12/somalia.pirates/index.html

[GarMan]

3 pirates dead, 1 captured. Captain Phillips unharmed.

I know there have been a lot of questions why they didn't nail their boat a few days ago when the Captain jumped out and tried to escape.  Apparently, he had put a good bit of distance between him and the boat, and the Navy didn't do anything.  I suspect that The One didn't allow them to do anything. 

Perhaps, he's catching more shit than he anticipated while on his "Blame America First" tour. 

[Snaggletiger]

Although you have to admit.  They weren't dealing with the brightest bulbs on the tree.  Their ransom demands: