Photos: Lifeboat from Somali pirate siege arrives in Norfolk

The Virginian-Pilot
© November 11, 2009

NORFOLK

The lifeboat that made international headlines in a high-profile pirate attack arrived at Nauticus today to be on display alongside a National Geographic exhibit about piracy.

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 this spring.

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.

Phillips will serve as grand marshal of downtown Norfolk's Grand Illumination Parade on Nov. 21.

(David B. Hollingsworth photos | The Virginian-Pilot)

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TOOTHPICKS CHOKE ON RICE

Submitted by Publius85 on Wed, 11/11/2009 at 7:30 pm.

Speaking of pirates, whatever happened to the pirates of old with the one leg and an eye patch? Pirates of today are a bunch of third world toothpicks with an AK-47 in tow. Some start crying when their caught by authorities. I tell you, standards have collapsed across the board, what a shame.