[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/08/maersk.art.jpg
caption="Attackers hijacked the Maersk Alabama, shown here, formerly known as the Alva Maersk."]
See the entire interview tomorrow on American Morning, 6-9am on CNN.
BUZZARDS BAY, Massachusetts (CNN) — U.S. crew members have “taken down” one of the pirates who hijacked their vessel early Wednesday hundreds of miles off Somalia’s coast, one of the crew members told his wife and father.
Shane Murphy relayed the information in quick phone calls to his wife and father in his home state of Massachusetts.
He told his wife that the crew — all of whom were unarmed — knew that help was on the way and made their move on the pirates when the U.S. Navy began to arrive. Murphy said the crew let the pirates think they had control of the vessel, but the entire time felt confident that the situation would be resolved.
Four hijackers boarded the Maersk Alabama early Wednesday, and one is in custody, according to Pentagon officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The three others tried to escape, and their status is unknown, they said.
CNN's Jason Carroll spoke exclusively with the father of crew member Shane Murphy.
Joe Murphy: They also sent a global distress messsage which was recieved by the United States Navy and the US Navy responded immediately. The problem is that the Navy was almost 200 miles away. They used evasive maneuvers to keep the pirates off.
Jason Carroll: And they did that for several hours?
Murphy: 3 hours- over 3 hours, 3 to 5 hours. And once the pirates get onboard there's nothing that can be done.
Carroll: Do you know if anyone was armed onboard?
Murphy: No. The ship is not armed.
Carroll: The pirates made their way on board?
Murphy: They made their way onbaord and they held the crew in ther secure area. they shut down all communication- no further communication. Stopped the ship and it progressed from that point on.