Warsaw Grad On Ship That Saved Captain From Pirates
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Warsaw Grad On Ship That Saved Captain From Pirates
By -
Ensign Aaron Wishart, 24, is the repair officer for the USS Bainbridge. A 2007 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., he graduated WCHS in 2003. Aaron's parents, Steven and Lauren Wishart, and 12-year-old brother Craig moved from Warsaw to Annapolis in December 2007. Aaron also has another brother, Adam, 21.
The April 27 edition of the Navy Times recounts the entire ordeal that led to Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips being saved from Somalian pirates. Wishart is extensively quoted in the publication's story.
The Navy Times interviewed five Bainbridge crew members, including Wishart, by telephone April 16-17 for the story.
Wishart told the Navy Times that he was the officer-of-the-deck on the bridge around 9 a.m. April 8 when the call came from the combat information center. The simple directions were to turn the ship east and step on it.
Wishart thought the first message was "cryptic," but within minutes, when the second call came, the bridge watch knew why the sudden change in course, why they were plunging deep and fast into the Indian Ocean, away from the Somali coast. Americans were held at gunpoint.
Wishart told the Navy Times, "Then we found out there was a hostage on one of the lifeboats the pirates had taken. I was worried. I was worried it could be a long time before any of this situation could be resolved."
The Maersk-Alabama, with a cargo of Kenya-bound food aid, and a crew of 20 American merchant sailors, had been hijacked earlier that morning. The civilian crew got free, but lost their captain, Phillips, who was taken captive in a motorized lifeboat.
After a long ordeal, once Phillips was safe, the tension on the ship lifted.
"Complete elation," Wishart told the Navy Times. "It was high-fives and hugs all around."
This is Aaron's second deployment on the Bainbridge since his Naval Academy graduation, according to Lauren. In August 2007 to March 2008, the ship deployed to the Mediterranean. Aaron deployed again on the Bainbridge in February this year, and is expected to return in September. The ship is based out of Norfolk, Va.
Lauren said Aaron has been assigned to the Bainbridge since his Naval Academy graduation.[[In-content Ad]]
Ensign Aaron Wishart, 24, is the repair officer for the USS Bainbridge. A 2007 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md., he graduated WCHS in 2003. Aaron's parents, Steven and Lauren Wishart, and 12-year-old brother Craig moved from Warsaw to Annapolis in December 2007. Aaron also has another brother, Adam, 21.
The April 27 edition of the Navy Times recounts the entire ordeal that led to Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips being saved from Somalian pirates. Wishart is extensively quoted in the publication's story.
The Navy Times interviewed five Bainbridge crew members, including Wishart, by telephone April 16-17 for the story.
Wishart told the Navy Times that he was the officer-of-the-deck on the bridge around 9 a.m. April 8 when the call came from the combat information center. The simple directions were to turn the ship east and step on it.
Wishart thought the first message was "cryptic," but within minutes, when the second call came, the bridge watch knew why the sudden change in course, why they were plunging deep and fast into the Indian Ocean, away from the Somali coast. Americans were held at gunpoint.
Wishart told the Navy Times, "Then we found out there was a hostage on one of the lifeboats the pirates had taken. I was worried. I was worried it could be a long time before any of this situation could be resolved."
The Maersk-Alabama, with a cargo of Kenya-bound food aid, and a crew of 20 American merchant sailors, had been hijacked earlier that morning. The civilian crew got free, but lost their captain, Phillips, who was taken captive in a motorized lifeboat.
After a long ordeal, once Phillips was safe, the tension on the ship lifted.
"Complete elation," Wishart told the Navy Times. "It was high-fives and hugs all around."
This is Aaron's second deployment on the Bainbridge since his Naval Academy graduation, according to Lauren. In August 2007 to March 2008, the ship deployed to the Mediterranean. Aaron deployed again on the Bainbridge in February this year, and is expected to return in September. The ship is based out of Norfolk, Va.
Lauren said Aaron has been assigned to the Bainbridge since his Naval Academy graduation.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092