We all know that the Somali pirates are out of control. Several navies are patrolling the area off the Horn of Africa. They haven’t deterred the attacks. Instead the pirates adapted tactics. They are using bigger ships to carry skiffs out to sea and then using the skiffs to attack the ships. The tactic allows them to make raids further out to sea and away from the heavy patrol areas.
When the pirates tried to seize the ship the Maersk Alabama, the captain of the ship, Richard Phillips, surrendered himself in order to secure the safety of his crew. The crew also fought back and captured one of the pirates. In exchange for the captured pirate and safety of the crew, Phillips gave himself to the pirates.
What followed was a high seas standoff. The pirates were surrounded and monitored by the U.S. Navy.
The onsite commander ordered nave sharpshooters to take out three of the pirates on the skiff when one raised an AK-47 to Phillips’ back. The fourth pirate was onboard a ship negotiating. Just like that, three dead pirates. The fourth was arrested and Phillips was rescued. Incredible!
President Barack Obama left standing orders that the navy should use force if Phillips’ life was in danger. When that AK-47 was pointed at Phillips the commander issued the order to shoot.
I fully applaud the actions of all involved, from the President to the commander to the sharpshooters and to Phillips.
Phillips exchanged himself and potentially his life when he agreed to become the pirate’s hostage. He put himself before others. On ships and navies, the captain is responsible for the ship. And that means responsible for everything. Someone else’s mistake can cost a captain his career. Phillips took that responsibility to the highest level. He was willing to put himself in danger so that the ones under his command could leave safely.
One thing I think most people fail to appreciate is what an incredible shot the sharpshooters made. Making a kill shot is no easy feat on land. A shooter must take a ton of factors before the shot. In addition to factoring in the usual shot checklist, the navy sharpshooters have to account for one more item. They must account for the roll of the sea. Their ship is rolling with the waves and so was the lifeboat the pirates were on. That is a lot of side to side and up and down motion to consider. To make one shot like that is incredible. That three sharpshooters were able to do it and not hurt Phillips is beyond my comprehension. On top of it, they had to all do shoot near simultaneously to prevent a pirate from hurting Phillips. It was an incredible feat. My hat off to them.
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