USS Halyburton

The USS Halyburton (FFG-40) is a U.S. Navy frigate. On April 10, 2009, the warship was traveling to the Somali coast to join the destroyer USS Bainbridge in a standoff with Somali pirates who hijacked the U.S. cargo ship the Maersk Alabama. The FBI and the U.S. Navy have been attempting to negotiate with the pirates.Bloomberg: Somali Pirates Sending Reinforcements to Kidnappers (April 10, 2009)

The crew of the Maersk managed to regain control of the ship but their captain, Richard Phillips was taken hostage aboard a 28-foot lifeboat.Salt Lake Tribune: U.S. Warship Arrives As Pirates' Options Dwindle (April 9, 2009)

• Overall Length: 453 ftNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Extreme Beam: 47 ftNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Maximum Navigational Draft: 26 ft Navy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Light Displacement: 3204 tonsNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Dead Weight: 908 tonsNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Waterline Length: 408 ftNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Waterline Beam: 47 ftNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Draft Limit: 17 ftNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Full Displacement: 4112 tonsNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Hull Material: Steel hull, aluminum superstructureNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Number of Propellers: 1Navy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)
• Propulsion Type: Gas TurbinesNavy: USS Halyburton (FFG 40)

The U.S. cargo ship Maersk Alabama was hijacked by Somali pirates on the morning of April 8, 2009. The Maersk Alabama was approximately 300 miles off the coast of Somalia when it was chased, captured and then boarded by four Somali pirates. There were 21 Americans aboard the Maersk and they were able to send a distress signal to the U.S. Navy. After five hours, the crew of the Maersk was able to regain control of their ship.

The crew of the Maersk Alabama was able to capture one of the pirates but the Maersk's captain, Richard Phillips, was captured and held hostage by the hijackers. A hostage exchange was agreed upon by both side but while the Americans released the pirate was released, the hijackers reneged and escaped with Captain Phillips in a 28-foot lifeboat.

The USS Bainbridge, which was more than 200 miles away at the time of the attack, was dispatched to assist and arrived by April 9, 2009.Bloomberg: Somali Pirates Sending Reinforcements to Kidnappers (April 10, 2009)