The gunfire forced the sailors, who did not return fire, back to the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge, the official said.

CNN: Source: Pirates repel sailors attempting to reach captain

Since then, the destroyer USS Bainbridge has arrived on the scene to try to free Phillips with the help of the FBI.

CNN: Crew of Alabama says sailors jumped pirates to retake control

The nearest warship, the USS Bainbridge, steamed 300 miles and reached the Maersk Alabama in about 20 hours, at 3:00 AM Mogadishu time on Thursday, April 9.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Obama dithered for nearly three days on pirates