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By Jaedda Armstrong
A lifeboat that made international headlines in a high-profile pirate attack will be on exhibit at Nauticus this fall.
The high-seas drama unfolded April 8 when the Maersk Alabama, a cargo ship owned by a Norfolk-based shipping company, was attacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Africa.
Although the 20 crew members quickly regained control over the ship, Capt. Richard Phillips was captured and held hostage in the squat orange lifeboat that floated nearby. The standoff ended five days later when Navy SEALs shot dead three of the pirates and freed the captain unharmed.
"This was front page news around the world," said Rolf Johnson, deputy director of Nauticus. He negotiated with Maersk officials to bring the boat to Nauticus, where John Reinhart, president and CEO of Maersk Line, happens to serve on the board of directors.
The lifeboat will be displayed as a separate, locally produced exhibit that complements a National Geographic piracy exhibit.
"We want people to know that piracy is still occurring today, and it is a criminal offense," he said. "People's families are in harm's way every day, patrolling the waters looking for pirates."
The lifeboat already has a permanent home at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Florida. Nauticus must return the boat there next year when the exhibit is over.
The boat will arrive in Norfolk complete with the bullet holes and other remnants of the attack, Johnson said. When the exhibit opens Nov. 21, visitors will be able to walk up to the boat and peek inside, but no one will be allowed in.
"This is a marvelous way to engage people in Hampton Roads about real pirates," Johnson said. "It's beyond Johnny Depp and Disney - this is not a fairy tale."
Jaedda Armstrong, (757) 222-5846, jaedda.armstrong@pilotonline.com
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Great Idea
What a great idea- combining the old & new aspects of Piracy
& emphasizing how the problem has survived throughout the ages. It will very exciting to see the exhibit as well as the lifeboat ,which is now a part of living history.
Thanks for this brilliant combo Nauticus & keeping things lively.
Re: Mr. Wizard
Did you read the article before making your comments?
"Now, the two stories will be incorporated to give the exhibit a blend of historic and modern piracy.
It's not clear how the lifeboat will fit into the exhibit, Johnson said, but the most important thing is that people understand who pirates are and what they do.
"We want people to know that piracy is still occurring today, and it is a criminal offense," he said. "People's families are in harm's way every day, patrolling the waters looking for pirates.""
From reading just this portion of the article, it seems that the lifeboat will only be one part of the exhibit, the rest of the exhibit most likely providing the context.
Read the articles before posting in the future.
Where's the context
I have an issue with supplying tax money to an organization that "educates" people by displaying the lifeboat in which people were executed on orders of the president.
Just because something was "front page news" does not readily make it an appropriate tourist attraction for all ages, or a positive teaching moment.
I know the new Nauticus guy wants to make a splash, and has with this crass attempt, but some context is needed when talking and displaying objects with the bloody theme of "Pirates". If your going to teach about these Pirates, you have to teach about Somalia and not just about how the three unfortunates were "taken out".
"I have an issue with
"I have an issue with supplying tax money to an organization that "educates" people by displaying the lifeboat in which people were executed on orders of the president."
=================
Uh, it'll be parked next to the USS Wisconsin, not exactly a pleasure craft. You got a problem with the city soon taking ownership of a ship of war, too?
The Whyduh exhibit has been around awhile
1717 is so much different from today's hoolaguns - for the history:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/whydah/main.html
for the exhibit go to NAUTICUS - NOV. '09.
This is very cool. The
This is very cool. The story of the Whydah (which most have never heard of) is probably very compelling. But to have a contemporary pirate episode woven into the exhibit will likely draw even more visitors. It was worldwide news just months ago. For Nauticus' sake I hope it is very successful. They could use the money.
Not Pirates
The first commentor had it right, these were not pirates they were idiots and should not be glorified in any way. They got what they deserved.
what makes you think calling
what makes you think calling someone a pirate is a glorification? Johnny Depp?
He does do a
good Kieth Richard impression.
Craving a few more moments of fame.
What this town won't do to bask in the limelight of some "local connection."