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{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = ''Maersk Alabama'' hijacking
| partof = [[Operation Ocean Shield]]<ref name="DSF Community">{{cite web|url=https://www.bluebird-electric.net/operation_ocean_shield.htm|title=Operation Ocean Shield|publisher=bluebirdelectric|date=|access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref>
| partof = [[Operation Allied Protector]]
| image = Maersk Alabama on 9 April 2009 (P-3C).jpg
| image_size = 300
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}}
 
The '''''Maersk Alabama''''' '''hijacking''' began on 8 April 2009, when four [[Piracy in Somalia|pirates in the Somali Basin]] seized the Danish/U.S. cargo ship {{MV|Maersk Alabama||2}} at a distance of {{convert|240|nmi|km mi|lk=in}} southeast of [[Eyl]], Somalia. The siege ended after a rescue effort by the [[United States Navy]] on 12 April 12th.<ref>{{cite news|last1 = Sanders|first1 = E.|last2 = Barnes|first2 = J.|date = 2009-04-09|title = U.S. ship captain held by Somali pirates|url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-09-fg-somali-pirates9-story.html|work = [[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date = 2020-01-09}}</ref>
 
The incident was the first successful pirate seizure of a ship registered under the U.S. flag since the early 19th century. Many news reports cited the last pirate seizure as being during the [[Second Barbary War]] in 1815, although [[Action of 9 November 1822|other incidents are believed to have occurred until at least 1822]]. It was the sixth vessel in a week to be attacked by pirates, who had previously extorted [[ransom]]s of tens of millions of dollars. {{citation needed|date=June 2024}}
 
At the time of the hijacking, ''Maersk Alabama'' was owned by the Danish shipping company [[Maersk Line]]. The ship has since been acquired by Element Shipmanagement SA and has been renamed {{MV|Tygra}}. {{As of|2023}}, the ship is still in active service.
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== Background ==
With a crew of 23 and {{convert|17000|MT|ST}} of cargo, the ship, originating from [[Salalah]], Oman, was bound for [[Mombasa]], Kenya, after a stop in [[Djibouti]].<ref name="motherjones.com">{{cite web |last=Bauman |first=Nick |date=8 April 2009 |title=Another Miracle Brought to You By America's Unions (This Time With Pirates!) |url=https://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2009/04/another-miracle-brought-you-americas-unions-time-pirates |titleaccess-date=Another20 MiracleApril Brought2024 to You By|website=[[Mother America's Unions (This Time With Pirates!)Jones]]}}</ref><ref name=":2">[http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/04/08/union-crew-avoids-pirate-takeover-but-ships-captain-held-hostage/ AFL-CIO NOW BLOG | Union Crew Avoids Pirate Takeover, But Ship's Captain Held Hostage<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414220648/http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/04/08/union-crew-avoids-pirate-takeover-but-ships-captain-held-hostage/ |date=14 April 2009 }}</ref> The ''Maersk Alabama'' was carrying 401 containers of food aid from [[USAID]], Serving God Ministries, the [[World Food Program]], and Catholic Relief Services.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 8, 2009 |title=Crew on US ship say Somali pirates hold captain |url=https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/nation-world/2009/04/08/crew-on-us-ship-say-somali-pirates-hold-captain/31605158007/ |access-date=28 March 2023 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=[[The Gainesville Sun]] |dateagency=April[[Associated 8, 2009Press]]}}</ref> The food aid was destined for people in Somalia, Uganda, Somali refugees in Kenya, and refugees in Rwanda.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 8, 2009 |title=WFP food aid seized by pirates |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/wfp-food-aid-seized-by-pirates-20090408 |access-date=28 March 2023 |agency=news24[[News24 |date=April 8, 2009(website)]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Hijacked ship carrying food aid for Rwanda relief |url=https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/hijacked-ship-carrying-food-aid-rwanda-relief |access-date=28 March 2023 |agency=National Catholic Reporter |publisher=Catholic News Service |date=April 11, 2009}}</ref>
 
The crew members of ''Maersk Alabama'' had received [[Anti-piracy measures in Somalia|anti-piracy]] training from union training schools, and had drilled aboard the ship a day prior to the attack of 8 April. Their training included the use of small arms, anti-terror, basic safety, first aid, and other security-related courses.<ref name="motherjones.com"/><ref>[http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/04/08/union-crew-avoids-pirate-takeover-but-ships-captain-held-hostage/ AFL-CIO NOW BLOG | Union Crew Avoids Pirate Takeover, But Ship's Captain Held Hostage<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|urlname=https"://web.archive.org/web/20090414220648/http://blog.aflcio.org/2009/04/08/union-crew-avoids-pirate-takeover-but-ships-captain-held-hostage/2" |date=14 April 2009 }}</ref>
 
== Events ==
 
=== Hijacking ===
On 8 April 2009, four pirates based on {{ship|FV|Win Far 161}} attacked the ship.<ref>{{cite news| first = Chiang|last= Huang-chih|url= http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2009/09/07/2003452966 |newspaper=[[Taipei Times]] |date= 7 September 2009 |title= Does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs care about 'Win Far'?}}</ref> AllArmed with [[AK-47]] [[Assault rifle|assault rifles]], all four of the pirates were between 15 and 18 years old, according to Secretary of Defense [[Robert Gates]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Somalian pirate suspect arrives in New York to be tried in U.S. court |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2009/04/20/us-somaliapirate.html|date= 20 April 2009|access-date=12 August 2013|publisher=CBC News}}</ref> When the pirate alarm sounded, Chief Engineer Mike Perry brought 14&nbsp;members of the crew into a secure room that the engineers had been fortifying for such a purpose. As the pirates approached, the remaining crew fired flares. In addition, Perry and First Assistant Engineer Matt Fisher swung the ship's [[rudder]], which swamped the pirate skiff.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB123984674935223605|title = On the Maersk: 'I Hope if I Die, I Die a Brave Person'|last1 = Cummins|first1 = C.|last2 = Childress|first2 = S.|access-date = 16 April 2009|work = The Wall Street Journal|date = 16 April 2009}}</ref>
 
[[File:Container ship MV Maersk Alabama.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|{{MV|Maersk Alabama||2}} in 2009]]
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}}</ref> ''Bainbridge'' was equipped with a [[ScanEagle]] unmanned aerial vehicle and [[rigid-hulled inflatable boat]]s. Both vessels stayed several hundred yards away, out of the pirates' range of fire. A [[P-3C Orion]] surveillance aircraft secured aerial footage and reconnaissance. Radio communication between the two ships was established. Four foreign vessels held by pirates headed towards the scene. A total of 54&nbsp;hostages were on two of the ships, citizens of China, Germany, Russia, the Philippines, Tuvalu, Indonesia, and Taiwan.<ref name=":0" />
 
On 10 April, Phillips attempted to escape from the lifeboat (although he later stated this was not an escape attempt<ref>{{cite web| date= 1 July 2018| last= Rohrlich| first= Justin| url= https://www.thedailybeast.com/smiling-somali-pirate-says-jailers-have-ruined-his-grin| title= ‘Smiling’'Smiling' Somali Pirate Says Jailers Have Ruined His Grin| publisher= [[Daily Beast]]}}</ref>), but was recaptured after the captors fired shots. The pirates then threw a phone and a two-way radio dropped to them by the U.S. Navy into the ocean, fearing the Americans were somehow using the equipment to give instructions to Phillips. The U.S. Navy dispatched another amphibious assault ship, {{USS|Boxer|LHD-4|6}}, to the site off the [[Horn of Africa]]. The pirates' strategy was to link up with their comrades, who were holding various other hostages, and to get Phillips to Somalia where they could hide him and make a rescue more difficult for the Americans. Anchoring near shore would allow them to land quickly if attacked. Negotiations were ongoing between the pirates and the captain of ''Bainbridge'' and [[FBI hostage negotiator]]s. The captors were also communicating with other pirate vessels by satellite phone.<ref name="AP041009">{{cite news|url=http://www.kvewtv.com/article/2009/apr/10/pirates-recapture-us-hostage-after-escape-attempt/|title=Pirates recapture US hostage after escape attempt|date=10 April 2009|access-date=5 February 2017|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
 
However, negotiations broke down hours after the pirates fired on ''Halyburton'' not long after sunrise on Saturday, 11 April. The American frigate did not return fire and "did not want to escalate the situation". No crew members of ''Halyburton'' were injured from the gunfire, as the shots were fired haphazardly by a pirate from the front hatch of the lifeboat.<ref>{{cite news| date= 11 April 2009|author1=Serge F. Kovaleski, [[Mark Mazzetti]] |author2=Liz Robbins | url= https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/world/africa/12somalia.html?_r=1| title= Negotiations Break Down in Standoff With Pirates| work= [[The New York Times]]| access-date= 12 April 2009}}</ref> "We are safe and we are not afraid of the Americans. We will defend ourselves if attacked", one of the pirates told Reuters by [[satellite phone]]. Phillips' family had gathered at his farmhouse in [[Vermont]] awaiting a resolution to the situation.<ref name="GUARD041009">{{cite news| date= 10 April 2009| last= Rice| first= Xan|author2=Weaver, Matthew| url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/10/somali-pirates-hostage-us-miltary| title= Somali pirates vow to take on US military might if attacked| work= The Guardian|access-date=12 April 2009| location= London}}</ref> Later that day, ''Maersk Alabama'' arrived in the port of [[Mombasa]] under U.S. military escort. An 18-man security team was on board.<ref name="NPR040909" /> The FBI then secured the ship as a crime scene.<ref name='reuters wrapup'>{{cite news | first= Stephanie| last= Gaskell| title=WRAPUP 10-U.S. Navy rescues captain, kills Somali pirates | date=12 April 2009 | publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]] | url =https://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1134689120090412?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10112 |work=Reuters | location=New York}}</ref> Commander [[Frank Castellano]] of USS ''Bainbridge'' stated that as the winds picked up, tensions rose among the pirates and "we calmed them" and persuaded the pirates to be towed by the destroyer.<ref name="negotiations">{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22425001 |title=Commander Castellano interviewed by Brian Williams on NBC Nightly News |publisher=NBC News |access-date=14 April 2009}}</ref>
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=== Rescue ===
[[File:Cmdr. Frank Castellano and Capt. Richard Phillips - 090412-N-XXXXN-001.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Richard Phillips (merchant mariner)|Richard Phillips]] (right) with Commander [[Frank Castellano]] of {{USS|Bainbridge|DDG-96|6}}]]
On Sunday, 12 April, [[United States Navy SEAL]] snipers of Red Squadron, [[SEAL Team Six|Naval Special Warfare Development Group]] armed with semi-automatic rifles shot and killed the three pirates on the lifeboat. Captain Phillips was rescued uninjured.<ref name="edition.cnn.com">[http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/04/12/somalia.pirates/index.html Hostage captain rescued; Navy snipers kill 3 pirates] [[CNN]], 12 April 2009</ref><ref name="US captain rescued from pirates">{{cite news|date= 13 April 2009|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7996087.stm|title= US captain rescued from pirates|publisher= BBC News|access-date= 13 April 2009}}</ref> Commander Castellano, with prior authorization from higher authority, ordered the action after determining Phillips' life was in immediate danger, citing reports that a pirate was pointing an [[AK-47]] rifle at Phillips' back.<ref name="US captain rescued from pirates"/><ref>{{cite news|date= 12 April 2009|url= https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSXyAok3YrJTZLKD31SAjC9pfvkgD97H4J581|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090415084700/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSXyAok3YrJTZLKD31SAjC9pfvkgD97H4J581|url-status= dead|archive-date= 15 April 2009|title= Official: US sea captain faced imminent danger|agency= Associated Press|access-date= 12 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=12 April 2009 |last=Mikkelsen |first=Randall |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1233162120090412 |title=US acted after pirates aimed at ship captain |publisher=Reuters |access-date=12 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415084700/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gSXyAok3YrJTZLKD31SAjC9pfvkgD97H4J581 |archive-date=15 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Neither [[William H. McRaven|Admiral William McRaven]], who was in charge of the operation, nor any SEAL Team 6 commander authorized the shots.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Cole |first=Matthew |date=2017-01-10 |title=The Crimes of SEAL Team 6 |url=https://theintercept.com/2017/01/10/the-crimes-of-seal-team-6/ |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}}</ref> Snipers fired multiple shots from ''Bainbridge''{{'}}s [[Fantail (ship)|fantail]], killing the three pirates with bullets to the head.<ref>Richard Phillips, A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea (New York: Hyperion, 2010), p. 261.</ref><ref name="edition.cnn.com"/><ref name='nydailynws'>{{cite news | first=Stephanie | last=Gaskell | title=Three Navy SEALS freed Capt. Phillips from pirates with simultaneous shots from 100 feet away | date=14 April 2009 | url =http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/04/14/2009-04-14_seals_freed_phillips_with_simultaneous_shots.html |work=New York Daily News| access-date =16 April 2009 }}</ref> Cash amounting to $30,000 that the pirates had stowed in the lifeboat was not found. The NCIS and the FBI investigated two members of the SEAL team's red squadron, but no charges were brought, and the money wentwas unrecoverednot recovered.<ref>{{Cite web |lastname=Cole |first=Matthew |date=2017-01-10 |title=The Crimes of SEAL Team 6 |url=https"://theintercept.com/2017/01/10/the-crimes-of-seal-team-6/3" |access-date=2023-08-26 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
The SEALs had arrived Friday afternoon after being parachuted into the water near ''Halyburton'', which later joined with ''Bainbridge''.<ref name = onlinewsj/> At the time, ''Bainbridge'' had the lifeboat under tow, approximately {{convert|25|to|30|yd|m}} astern.<ref>{{cite news| date= 12 April 2009| last= McCrummen| first= Stephanie|author2=Tyson, Ann Scott| url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/12/AR2009041200467.html| title= U.S. Ship Captain Rescued From Pirates by Navy Seals| newspaper= [[The Washington Post]]| access-date= 12 April 2009}}</ref> One of the pirates killed was Ali Aden Elmi, the last name of another was Hamac, and the third has not been identified in English-language press reports.<ref>{{cite news |first=Abdiqani |lastname="Hassan" |title=Somali Pirate Families Ask for U.S. Pardon |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE53L2Z520090422 |work=[[Reuters]]| date=2009-04-22| access-date=22 April 2009 }}</ref>
 
A fourth pirate, [[Abduwali Muse]], aboard ''Bainbridge'' and negotiating for Phillips' release while being treated for an injury sustained in the takeover of ''Maersk Alabama'', remained in custody. The bodies of the three dead pirates were turned over by the U.S. Navy to unidentified recipients in Somalia in the last week of April 2009.<ref>''[[Washington Post]]'', "Navy Returns Bodies of 3 Somali Pirates", 1 May 2009, p. 12.</ref>
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=== Lawsuit ===
On 27 AprilIn 2009, 11 of the 20 former crew members of the ''Maersk Alabama'' crewsued memberthe Richardship's E.owner, HicksMaersk filedLine aLimited, lawsuit against hisand employeroperator, Waterman Steamship Corporation, andfor Maerskallegedly Line,knowingly Ltd.,and for knowinglyintentionally sending himthe ship into pirate-infested waters near Somalia. HoustonDespite attorneywarnings Terryto Bryant,stay representingat Hicksleast 600 miles away from the coast due to pirate activity, saidPhillips had moved the ship ownerswithin knowingly250 exposedmiles theirof employeesthe tocoast, imminentwhich dangerthe andcrew tookmembers nosaid stepsput totheir providelives appropriatein levelsjeopardy ofand securitythat andthe safetycompanies did not provide adequate security for their employees.<ref>{{Citecite news web|lastlast1=BryantHarris |firstfirst1=TerryPaul |datetitle=24Crew of US ship rescued from Somali pirates sues owners for $50m |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/26/crew-ship-rescued-somali-pirates-sues |work=The Guardian |date=May 201726, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MaerskCapt. AlabamaRichard Phillips Risked Crew's Lives Before Hijacking, Suit Alleges Lawsuit|url=https://wwwabcnews.terrybryantgo.com/blogs/maerskentertainment/2013/10/capt-alabamarichard-phillips-risked-crews-lives-before-hijacking-lawsuit|accesssuit-datealleges |work=22ABC NovemberNews 2021|websitedate=TerryOctober Bryant2, Injury2013 & Accident Law|language=en}}</ref> The Helawsuit filedwas alater noticesettled out of non-suitcourt onfor Decemberan 2,undisclosed 2009,amount endingof the casemoney.<ref>{{Citationcite news |title=OrderThe Story of Non-SuitMaersk Alabama Container Vessel Signed|url=https://trelliswww.lawmarineinsight.com/docmarine-piracy-marine/36724948/ORDERthe-OFstory-NONof-SUITmaersk-SIGNED|accessalabama-datecontainer-vessel/ |work=8Marine JulyInsight 2022|websitedate=TrellisSeptember 14, 2019}}</ref>
 
== Mass media ==
Just weeks after his rescue from the Somali pirates, the American [[Talent agent|talent agency]] [[Creative Artists Agency|Creative Artists Agency (CAA)]] signed Phillips, and auctioned off his [[life rights]] to the [[Publishing industry|publishing]] and [[Film industry|film industries]] in the spring of 2009.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Deahl |first=Rachel |date=8 June 2009 |title=Hyperion Wins Auction for Captain Phillips Book |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/book-deals/article/4246-hyperion-wins-auction-for-captain-phillips-book.html |url-status=live |access-date=7 aprilApril 2024 |website=Publishers Weekly}}</ref>
 
=== Book ===
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[[Columbia Pictures]] acquired the [[film rights]] in May 2009 also.<ref name="hollywood-reporter">Kit, Borys. [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tom-hanks-play-capt-richard-167846 "Tom Hanks to Play Capt. Richard Phillips in Somali Pirate Hostage Story"], ''Hollywood Reporter'', March 15, 2011.</ref> In March 2011, it was announced that [[Tom Hanks]] would star as Phillips, [[Barkhad Abdi]] as [[Abduwali Muse]] and [[Faysal Ahmed]] as Najee in a film based on the hijacking and Phillips' book.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lord Paluzzi |first=Jennifer |title=Wanted: Farmhouse Suitable for Tom Hanks |url=http://westborough.dailyvoice.com/news/wanted-farmhouse-suitable-tom-hanks |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013204533/http://westborough.dailyvoice.com/news/wanted-farmhouse-suitable-tom-hanks |archive-date=2013-10-13 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |publisher=The Westborough Daily Voice}}</ref> It would be scripted by [[Billy Ray (screenwriter)|Billy Ray]], and produced by the team behind ''[[The Social Network]]''.<ref name="hollywood-reporter" />
 
The film, titled ''[[Captain Phillips (film)|Captain Phillips]]'', was released on October 11, 2013<ref>{{cite news |last=Annas |first=Teresa |date=June 16, 2012 |title='Captain Phillips' filming details kept under wraps |url=http://hamptonroads.com/2012/06/captain-phillips-filming-details-kept-under-wraps |access-date=July 26, 2013 |work=[[The Virginian-Pilot]] |location=Norfolk, Va.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Captain Phillips Trailer, News, Videos, and Reviews |url=http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=55898 |access-date=July 26, 2013 |publisher=ComingSoon.net}}</ref> and had its premiere showing at the 2013 [[New York Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |date=August 1, 2013 |title=Paul Greengrass film to open New York Film Festival |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23501131 |access-date=23 August 2013 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> It was praised for its direction, screenplay, production values, cinematography, and for the performances of Tom Hanks and Barkhad Abdi,<ref name="Variety">{{cite news |last=Cox |first=Gordon |date=September 28, 2013 |title=New York Film Festival: 'Captain Phillips' Premieres to Enthusiastic Reception |url=https://variety.com/2013/scene/vpage/new-york-film-festival-captain-phillips-premieres-to-enthusiastic-reception-1200676243/ |access-date=September 29, 2013 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="Flavorwire">{{cite web |last=Bailey |first=Jason |date=September 27, 2013 |title=The Gripping 'Captain Phillips' Redefines Tom Hanks - Again |url=http://flavorwire.com/417445/the-gripping-captain-phillips-redefines-tom-hanks-again/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408031247/http://flavorwire.com/417445/the-gripping-captain-phillips-redefines-tom-hanks-again/ |archive-date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=September 29, 2013 |publisher=Flavorwire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=October 8, 2013 |title=Ten films to watch at the London Film Festival |url=http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20131007-london-film-festival-ten-films |access-date=October 9, 2013 |work=BBC News}}</ref> with Abdi in particular winning a [[BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role|Bafta award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref name="BAFTAwin">{{cite web |date=February 16, 2014 |title=Bafta Film Awards 2014: Full list of winners |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26218678 |access-date=March 9, 2014 |publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> ''Captain Phillips'' grossed $107.1 million in North America and $111.7 million in other countries for a worldwide total of $218.8 million, against its budget of $55 million.<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |date=October 1, 2013 |title=Captain Phillips (2013) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=captainphillips.htm |access-date=March 12, 2014 |publisher=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>
 
== Legacy ==
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[[Category:Anti-piracy battles involving the United States]]
[[Category:April 2009 events in Africa]]
[[Category:Hostage rescue operations involving the United States]]
[[Category:Maersk]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2009]]
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