The USS Bainbridge will be moored on the downtown Norfolk waterfront and the ceremony will take place on its fantail at 2 p.m. At 7 p.m., Captain Phillips will receive the inaugural National Maritime Valor Award at Nauticus, the National Maritime Center.
The Maersk container ship was captured by rogue pirates off the coast of Somalia on April 8. Captain Phillips offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the safety of his crew. For four days, while the world watched, Phillips was held captive in a 25-foot lifeboat.
On Easter Sunday, April 12, Navy SEALs positioned on the fantail of the USS Bainbridge opened fire and killed three of the pirates who were holding Phillips hostage. Phillips was later rescued by the crew of the guided-missile destroyer.
2:00 p.m. Ceremony on fantail of the USS Bainbridge
2:45 p.m. News Conference-Captain Phillips and CDR Castellano-next to the Maersk lifeboat
7:00 p.m. Presentation ceremony of the inaugural National Maritime Valor Award to Captain Phillips at Nauticus, The National Maritime Center
Captain Phillips' visit will correspond with the November 21 opening at Nauticus of the National Geographic exhibit, "Real Pirates: The Untold Story of the Whydah from Slave Ship to Pirate Ship," and the adjunct exhibit created by Nauticus and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum entitled, "Piracy Today: Terror on the High Seas." "Piracy Today" features the actual lifeboat from which Captain Phillips was rescued. The lifeboat is being loaned to Nauticus and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum from the Navy UDT- SEAL Museum in Florida.
Please contact us about special accommodations for on-site broadcast needs. A limited number of interviews with Captain Phillips or CDR Castellano of the USS Bainbridge are available.
Media inquiries should be directed to:
Charles Hartig
Office of the Mayor of Norfolk
757 664 4013
757 373 0996
Event Coordination:
Pam Catindig
Maverick Marketing Advertising & Public Relations
757 927 8257
pamcatindig@maverickmarketingco.com
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