Maersk Alabama Photos — April 8, 2009

The Maersk Alabama was a U.S.-flagged dry cargo container ship built in 1998 and operated by Maersk Line, Limited. Originally named the Alva Maersk, she was renamed the Maersk Alabama in 2004. At 509 feet in length with a gross tonnage of 14,120, she carried food aid and general cargo across the Indian Ocean and East African trade routes. I sailed aboard her in 2009 during port calls in Salalah, Oman and Mombasa, Kenya. On April 8, 2009 she was hijacked by Somali pirates and her captain, Richard Phillips, was taken hostage — an event later depicted in the film Captain Phillips. This page includes crew-perspective photographs taken during the incident, the only known images of their kind. She was later renamed MV Tygra and operated by Waterman Steamship Corporation.

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The Piracy Incident — April 8, 2009

These photographs were taken by crew members aboard the Maersk Alabama during and immediately after the April 8, 2009 piracy incident. EXIF metadata confirms the date. They are shared here as a firsthand documentary record.

Pirate skiff approaching the Maersk Alabama, photographed from the bridge on the night of April 8, 2009. The light at center-right is the attacking vessel.

The pirate skiff approaching the Maersk Alabama, photographed from the bridge, April 8, 2009. The light at center-right is the attacking vessel.

Somali pirates on the deck of the Maersk Alabama, April 8, 2009, photographed from the ship's superstructure during departure. At least one is visibly armed.

Somali pirates on the deck of the Maersk Alabama, April 8, 2009, photographed from the ship's superstructure as they prepared to depart via the vessel's lifeboat. At least one is visibly armed.