Pirates again attack Maersk Alabama

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - For the second time, Somali pirates attacked the Norfolk-based Maersk Alabama.
But this time, the result -- very different.

Sitting calmly in Port, an American Flag waves on the Maersk Alabama, but a few hours ago the situation was anything but calm.

Suspected Somali Pirates approached the Maersk in a skiff about 350 miles west of the Somali coast -- and attacked with automatic weapons.

Guards on-board the cargo ship returned fire and managed to fend off the attempted take-over.

Shane Murphy was Second in Command of the Maersk when pirates first attacked the ship 7 months ago.

"We feel like we may have an additional target on our back because of what happened and the way in ended badly with Captain Phillips." said Murphy.

Sharpshooters killed 3 of the pirates who held Phillips hostage after the first attack.

In a phone interview, Phillips gave his reaction to this mornings violent assault,"This was something that is not unexpected. The pirates are still out there, the situation is still the same as it was for the past 3 years, so it's not surprising at all."

Murphy agreed, saying he even advised Maersk how to avoid leaving the ship vulnerable to another attack, "It was my recommendation that we take that ship off the run or change the name or do something."