On 8 April 2009, "Bainbridge" was dispatched in response to a hostage situation in which Somali pirates had seized control of an American-flagged container vessel, . The crew of "Maersk Alabama" were able to get to safety, after their captain had been taken hostage by the pirates. The captain Richard Phillips was taken to and held on a lifeboat, and refused release in an unsuccessful attempt to exchange him for a pirate the ship's crew had captured. The destroyer shadowed and later encircled the Somali pirates during the standoff, at which time the pirates and "Bainbridge" began negotiating for the safe release of the captain who was held captive. On 12 April 2009, Captain Phillips was freed—reportedly in good condition—during a US Navy SEAL team assault. Three of the Somali pirates were killed by US Navy SEAL sharpshooters aboard "Bainbridge", and one was captured.