With her crew standing side by side the USS Bainbridge arrived at the Nauticus pier for a reunion bringing together the captain of the Maersk Alabama, Richard Phillips, and the sailors who rescued him.
The ceremony was aboard the USS Bainbridge right on the fantail. About 200 people were out there, including the crew, Captain Phillips, his family, and the media.
During the ceremony Captain Phillips thanked the crew for working so hard to rescue him. He said they are the reason why he was standing there today. He even joked around about what a difference it was walking up that gangway compared to what it felt like in April when he was rescued from Somali pirates that held him captive.
"And it was the crew who was working united together as a team to save myself, for no other reason than it was your duty, your job, your role," Captain Phillips said.
His trip to Norfolk will be very busy. He had the ceremony this afternoon, he has an awards ceremony tonight at Nauticus, and on Saturday he will help unveil the new pirate exhibit - plus serve as Grand Marshall of the Grand Illumination parade.
The ceremony was aboard the USS Bainbridge right on the fantail. About 200 people were out there, including the crew, Captain Phillips, his family, and the media.
During the ceremony Captain Phillips thanked the crew for working so hard to rescue him. He said they are the reason why he was standing there today. He even joked around about what a difference it was walking up that gangway compared to what it felt like in April when he was rescued from Somali pirates that held him captive.
"And it was the crew who was working united together as a team to save myself, for no other reason than it was your duty, your job, your role," Captain Phillips said.
His trip to Norfolk will be very busy. He had the ceremony this afternoon, he has an awards ceremony tonight at Nauticus, and on Saturday he will help unveil the new pirate exhibit - plus serve as Grand Marshall of the Grand Illumination parade.
