The Maersk Alabama is a container ship that gained international attention in 2009 when it was hijacked by Somali pirates. The ship was en route from Oman to Mombasa, Kenya when the attack occurred, leading to a dramatic standoff. The crew managed to send a distress signal, prompting a response from the U.S. Navy. During the hijacking, the ship's captain, Richard Phillips, was taken hostage. The situation escalated, resulting in a rescue operation by Navy SEALs, who successfully freed Phillips and killed three pirates. The incident highlighted issues of maritime security and piracy off the coast of Somalia.