WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Capt. Phillips Honored by Salvation Army

Capt. Phillips Honored by Salvation Army

South Burlington, Vermont - October 28, 2009

He was held captive on the high seas in April and today Captain Richard Phillips told a captive audience his pirate story. Phillips spoke at the Salvation Army's Civic Luncheon today, where he was presented the organization's highest award.

Phillips is off on a new voyage these days, but the Vermont ship captain who was held hostage by Somali pirates earlier this year, clearly didn't forget his sense of humor on that life boat in the Indian Ocean.

"But just to be absolutely clear and to set the record as there has been some confusion. I am the captain with the pirates. I'm not the captain with the plane who set it down in the water," he told hundreds at the Sheraton Hotel.

Phillips, who Wednesday received the Salvation Army's highest national award, is a reluctant hero. He's received worldwide attention ever since his drama at sea unfolded on live television across the globe.

"And a voice coming over the ship's radio sounding very eery saying, "Somali pirates we're coming to get you. Somali pirates coming to get you," Phillips said.

Back in April, pirates seized his ship, the Maersk Alabama while on route to Africa on a humanitarian mission. And while many call him a hero for getting on that lifeboat with the pirates, he disagrees.

"I didn't surrender myself as a hostage, some kind of sacrificial heroic, fatted calf. I was already a hostage. I just gave them a way off the ship. I believe that my responsibility was to get the pirates off my ship. I knew if I went with them they could never get back on the Maersk Alabama," said Phillips.

Phillips suffered intolerable heat, beatings and mental torture, but he never gave up. A dramatic rescue by Navy Seals brought him to safety aboard the U.S.S. Bainbridge.

"After I got off the boat there were times on the Navy ship where yes, I did just come back to me and I realized I made it out of there alive. I'm okay, I'm safe, I made it, which truthfully hours before I didn't see that conclusion," said Phillips.

And right now there is no ending to his story as he contemplates retirement, maybe, and works on a book and possibly a movie about his ordeal.

Phillips' next voyage may not yet be known, but whatever it is he's hoping for calm seas.

The award Captain Phillips received today is given to a person who exhibits extraordinary self sacrifice and service to others.

Bridget Barry Caswell - WCAX News