noted that `` there have been many questions about how the crew re-captured the ship and how the captain came to leave the ship . '' But he would not clarify the matter . `` Our immediate focus has been to bring the current situation to a safe resolution , '' he said . `` There will be time for due diligence and retrospective review once we have the safe return of all parties and the opportunity for a full de-briefing . '' The U.S. Navy , which is in charge of the situation , requested the help of the FBI . FBI negotiators in the United States are in touch with the crew of the Bainbridge , which arrived on the scene earlier Thursday to assist , a senior U.S. defense official said . According to Maersk 's last communication with the Navy , the 28-foot lifeboat was disabled and `` dead in the water , '' Speers said Thursday morning . `` We are encouraged that most of the crew is safe . They have been resilient and courageous throughout this crisis , '' Speers said . `` But we will remain on watch , staffing our situation
NORFOLK , Virginia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Negotiators aboard a U.S. Navy warship are trying to secure the release of an American freighter captain who is being held by pirates on a lifeboat off the coast of Somalia , according to Maersk Line Ltd. . Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama is being held by pirates on a lifeboat off Somalia . The crew aboard the destroyer USS Bainbridge could see the lifeboat where pirates have been holding Capt. Richard Phillips since Wednesday , the company said in a written statement issued at 5 p.m. ET . Phillips has not been hurt , the statement said . Phillips , who has received provisions and batteries for his radio , has been in touch with the crews of the Alabama and the Bainbridge , the statement said . The pirates are the same four men who hijacked Phillips ' vessel , the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama , early Wednesday hundreds of miles off the Horn of Africa . The Alabama 's 20-person crew later regained control of the ship , which is owned and operated by the Norfolk-based Maersk Line Ltd. . In a written statement , Maersk spokesman Kevin Speers