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• Shane Murphy is the chief officer on the Maersk Alabama, a U.S.-flagged cargo ship.

  Murphy was on board when the Maersk Alabama was attacked by Somalian pirates on April 8, 2009. Along with other crew members, Murphy helped to regain control of the vessel from the four Somalian hijackers.The Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship

• Fast Facts

  1. Chief officer of the Maersk Alabama cargo shipThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship
  2. On board the Maersk Alabama during the April 8, 2009, hijackingThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship
  3. Maersk Alabama was near Somalia, carrying emergency aid to KenyaThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship
  4. Graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime AcademyThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship
  5. Resides: Seekonk, MassachusettsThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship
  6. Phoned his wife and father shortly after the highjackingThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship
  7. Father, Joe, is an instructor at the Massachusetts Maritime AcademyThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship
  8. Was near the April 2008 hijacking of an Japanese oil tankerThe Boston Globe: Two Mass. Maritime Graduates Led Hijacked Ship

• Highjacking

  The Maersk Alabama was hijacked while approximately 300 miles off the coast of Somalia in the early morning hours of April 8, 2009. Four attackers reportedly chased the Maersk Alabama for three hours before coming on board and taking control of the ship.CNN.com: Crew Member Says One Pirate 'Taken Down'

  Shortly after the attack, Murphy phoned his wife, letting her know that he was alive, that the ship was taken over and that the crew knew help was on the way. The closest Navy ship was 200 miles away, but was sent towards the area when a distress signal was received.CNN.com: Crew Member Says One Pirate 'Taken Down'

• Regaining Control

  Later in the morning of April 8, 2009, reports surfaced that the crew of the Maersk Alabama had retaken the ship and was holding one of the pirates in custody. Further reports stated that a hostage exchange had occured, in which the Maersk Alabama's captain, Richard Phillips, was taken by the pirates, who fled on the ship's 28-foot lifeboat.CNN.com: Crew Member Says One Pirate 'Taken Down'

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Maersk Alabama | Somalia Pirates Attack | Richard Phillips | USS Bainbridge | Richard E. Hicks

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