Maersk Alabama Captain Rescued

[Boz]

(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.

Earlier Sunday afternoon Maersk Line Limited, owner of the Maersk Alabama, said the U.S. Navy informed the company that it had sighted Phillips in a lifeboat where pirates are holding him.

Phillips was spotted another time earlier in the day, the Navy said.

A man who answered the door at Phillips' home in Underhill, Vermont, told CNN's Stephanie Elam that the family has known the news for hours. He said details would have to come from Virginia, apparently referring to the home base of Maersk Line Limited, based in Norfolk, which owns the ship.

[4/0]

that is good to hear, now if the media will leave the family alone ......

[Trollnheel]

Very good news to hear. You just don't mess with our SEALS

[BrokenWrench]

Very good news to hear. You just don't mess with our SEALS

Don't mess with the USA anywhere!

Very glad to see Obama step up to the plate and call in the "Black Ops" guys.

Them SEALS are very special people not to be messed with anywhere in the world.

[Fishinspot]

Special Ops, don't leave home without'um!!!!

[Boz]

Special Ops, don't leave home without'um!!!!

Amen!

I've been watching CNN... more details are coming out.

Apparently, the SEALs were parachuted into the ocean under the cover of darkness and out of sight of the pirates, then made their way to the Navy ship Bainbridge. Some time today, the Bainbridge took the disabled lifeboat in which the hostage was being held under tow, ostensibly to tow it into calmer waters. The SEALs took up positions on the faintail of the Bainbridge, only about 25-40 meters in front of the lifeboat. Then the bad guys made the mistake of showing themselves. Three SEALs each fired one shot, taking out all three pirates.

Justice triumphs.

God bless the SEALs.

[Wolakrab]

Should have gone ahead and taken out the last pirate. What's one more dead skinny? His prison time will probably be a cakewalk compared to his normal life.

[Fishinspot]

One shot, one kill!! Good to see them acting quickly.