Photo by Matthew Ratajczak
Gregg Sawka, left, takes a photograph of his daughter Ashlyn Smith-Sawka and her boyfriend Tommy Jersey, all from Fort Pierce, with one of the MV Maersk Alabama’s lifeboats at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum on Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce on Friday morning. The lifeboat, delivered to the museum Friday morning to a large crowd waiting on the grounds, is the vessel that cargo ship Capt. Richard Phillips was held hostage in by Somali pirates before the pirates were shot and killed by Navy SEAL sharpshooters on the USS Bainbridge in the Indian Ocean in April of this year.
Photo by Matthew Ratajczak
FORT PIERCE - Eric Casey, general manager of the Maersk Line Ltd. in Norfolk, Va., speaks to a crowd of about 200 people after the arrival of the MV Maersk Alabama lifeboat that Capt. Richard Phillips was held hostage in by Somali Pirates, at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum on Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce Friday morning.
FORT PIERCE — The lifeboat’s two broken-out windows and a short, diagonal row of three bullet holes tell the story.
The nation watched in April as pirates who had hijacked the cargo ship MV Maersk-Alabama in the Indian Ocean about 280 miles off Somalia held Capt. Richard Phillips hostage on one of the Alabama’s lifeboats.
And when news came out that a group of SEALs deployed on the nearby USS Bainbridge had, in an incredible display of guts and marksmanship, shot and killed the pirates, the collective sigh of relief was immediately followed by a deep breath of national pride.
The SEALs’ action “set a precedent,” Eric Casey, general manager of the Maersk Line Ltd. of Norfolk, Va., said Friday morning at the unveiling of the lifeboat as an exhibit at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum on North Hutchinson Island. “Now pirates know what’s going to happen if they mess with the United States in international trade.”
The crowd of about 200 who had gathered in the broiling sun to welcome the lifeboat roared with approval.
Casey credited the SEALs with bringing “a very good ending to what could have been a very bad situation” and, calling the museum built on the site where Navy Frogmen trained during World War II “hallowed ground,” said Maersk was proud to donate the lifeboat “to honor the memory of those who have gone before, done the work and made it happen.”
Casey said Maersk “left the bullet holes just as they were” but cleaned up “biological material” inside the 28-foot lifeboat.
Noting that raids by Somali pirates has ebbed since the taking of the Alabama because of the region’s rainy season, Casey said he expects activity to “ratchet up” when dry weather returns late this month.
Dozens of mariners from throughout the world remain in captivity. Last year, 30 ships were hijacked and shipping companies paid millions of dollars in ransoms to secure the release of others.
The situation will be “handled with economics, diplomacy and force,” Casey said. “And when it comes to force, no one competes with the United States.”
The Maersk-Alabama lifeboat will remain on a trailer on the grounds of the National UDT-SEAL Museum while the site for its permanent installation is prepared.
Michael Howard, a former SEAL and executive director of the museum, said the lifeboat will be at the museum through the annual Muster, a Veterans Day event that draws large crowds as well as active and retired SEALs and UDT members.
Howard added that Richard Phillips, the rescued Maersk-Alabama captain, and John Reinhart, president and CEO of the Maersk Line, are expected to attend this year’s Muster.
Later, the lifeboat will be loaned for several months to the Nauticus Museum in Norfolk, Va., for a display on pirates being assembled in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution and the National Geographic Society.
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Comments » 17
jmell writes:
Good shootin Tex
schoolnursern1#255086 writes:
Definitely sets precidence for our men and what we stand for!
gwilbun#263979 writes:
Glad to see they did not cover up the bullet holes. too bad they probably cleaned the blood stains up of those scumbag pirates!
FLFIRE09 writes:
TIME TO SHOW SOME PRIDE IN AMERICA. DONT FORGET 9/11 OR ALLOW THESE MERCHANTS OF DEATH TO MESS WITH UNCLE SAM WITH OUT GETTING A BOOT IN THE *SS OR THIS CASE 7.62X39 BULLET TO THE BODY.
m1oleary#207940 writes:
I haven't heard too much about pirates since the SEALs took those guys out. Perhaps the others decided life was too short to risk a visit by the SEALs. Great job to the Navy and our armed forces.
Is_What_It_Is writes:
I actually saw this on television with some raw footage of the orange boat fleeing. Way to go SEALs!!! God Bless America!
FlexPlexico writes:
...OR THIS CASE 7.62X39 BULLET TO THE BODY...
Why would they be using ammo predominantly fired from an AK-47 or on SKS?
jcl2626 writes:
7.62X51
1hayabusa writes:
Three skulls on pikes next to the boat would be a good visual effect.
FLFIRE09 writes:
PLEX AND JC THE NAVY SEALS USE A M14 WHICH CHAMBERS THE 7.62 X 39 FOR OVERSEAS NATO USE. IT CNA ALSO BE ARRANGED FOR THE 308 WHICH IS THE 7.62 X 51 BUT I HAD HEARD THE ONE USED WAS THE 7.62 X 39 A LITTLE LIGHTER BUT FASTER AND TRAVELS AS FAR BUT WITH THE RANGE OF THE SHOT TAKEN SPEED OVER DISTANCE WON OUT.
Extreme_Pacifist writes:
You people love war and killing so much, especially when it is done by the US military, it is sad.
Most likely, all of the Hollywood movies and historical documentaries, along with all of the "first person shooter" video games, have brainwashed you beyond repair.
Pride is your biggest sin, and your blood-soaked flag that you worship is an offense to your One True God: Jesus Christ.
May you all repent, and begin to obey Jesus Christ and become pacifists, like Jesus commands all of His followers to do.
Peace.
MisElaineous writes:
I just watched a documentary about this hijacking on the History channel.
What becomes clear is how many chances the pirates were given to cut and run. The hijacking went bad for them from the beginning, due to a trained crew who executed the plan perfectly. One of the hijackers was taken hostage, and the crew tried a prisoner exchange, your guy for our Captain. They were going to give the pirates the life boat.
Sadly, the pirates refused to release the Captain, even after their crew mate was released to them.
That decision turned out to be deadly for three of them. They tried to speed away, but thank God the US Navy and those Seals rescued the Captain. The Seals really had no other choice. The pirates had been without sleep for several days,were agitated, and were threatening the Captain.
It was an amazing feat of marksmanship, because it had to be. The lifeboat was rolling and pitching, as was The USS Bainsbridge. Only they were rolling at different speeds. How the Seals were able to make those shots is a testament to their training.
Great job. When it was all on the line, Navy Seals got it done. The Captain is alive and well thanks to them.
angryranger#473203 writes:
Posted by Extreme_Pacifist on August 16, 2009 at 9:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"You people love war and killing so much, especially when it is done by the US military, it is sad.
Most likely, all of the Hollywood movies and historical documentaries, along with all of the "first person shooter" video games, have brainwashed you beyond repair.
Pride is your biggest sin, and your blood-soaked flag that you worship is an offense to your One True God: Jesus Christ.
May you all repent, and begin to obey Jesus Christ and become pacifists, like Jesus commands all of His followers to do.
Peace."
So was Jesus showing his "extreme pacifism" when he made a whip and drove the money changers out of the temple?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_an...
Also since the bible describes the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as one entity (The Trinity) then it was Jesus who is "God" who ordered the Children of Israel to destroy entire cities and "put to the sword" all of the inhabitants (Men, Women, and Children)in the Old Testament. http://www.rationalchristianity.net/g...
Jesus a pacifist? I think not.
Me thinks someone is a little too high up on their pompous horse and has overdosed on the Haterade.
Extreme_Pacifist writes:
Jesus drove out the money changers by using a cord to scatter the animals that were being sold for sacrifice, and the people, who would exchange Roman money for Jewish money, hence: money changers.
Jesus also turned over the tables of the money changers, and that act showed the displeasure of Jesus Christ explained His actions when He said:
"My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?...
Jesus never whipped any person, in the temple, or anywhere else.
The people again turned their back on their Lord God, rejecting Him when He became a Human and lived with His Creation.
John ch.1 verses 1-14
(In the beginning was the Word,and the Word was made flesh,and dwelt among us.)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?...
Jesus Christ never used violence, and He commanded ALL of His followers (Disciples) to never use violence.
All of the twelve Apostles were imprisoned, tortured, and murdered, except for John, who was kept alive by God, for the purpose of writing the Book of Revelation, on the island of Patmos.
None of Jesus' followers ever fought against their oppressors , but, one time Peter tried to use violence, and Jesus rebuked him - ( And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. )
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?...
Jesus repeats His command for non violence in the Book of Revelation chapter 13 verses 9-10:
If any man have an ear, let him hear.
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?...
The teachings and commands of Jesus Christ found in the four Gospels and the Book of Revelation, along with the whole New Testament is not being taught today by most Christian religions, or by the government and school system here in the USA.
I encourage all people, both Christians, and non Christians to open up the New Testament Bible, and start with the book of Matthew chapters 5,6, and 7, the Sermon on the Mount, and you will learn the message of Jesus Christ, a message of peace, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?...
Jesus Chases The Money Changers From The Temple
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sASfdn...
"Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLgcEc...
Jesus of Nazareth The Beautitudes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmuNa1...
Arcturus writes:
Oh boy... Who let the holy rollers onto this one?
Give up the Jesus Speak and focus on the real issue here... Our boys in uniform were protecting your freedoms.
Way to go SEALs and I'm glad this is being used as an example.
Sean_from_Vero writes:
It would be cool if they could stuff those dead pirates and prop them up in the boat for effect. Heck I'd drive down from Orlando to see that good shat.
rnmedic1#355504 writes:
I have never seen (or heard of) an M14 chambered for 7.62x39mm. That round is much shorter than the 7.62x51mm/.308 round, and would require a new barrel, magazine, and bolt, not to mention a re-vamp of the gas system. Perhaps you are thinking of the Ruger Mini-14?
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