Capt. to thank Norfolk crew for rescue

NORFOLK, Va - Captain Richard Phillips will be in Norfolk Thursday to publicly thank the U.S.S Bainbridge crew for helping rescue him from pirates.

Phillips gave himself up as a hostage in exchange for the safety of his Maersk Alabama crew, then spent several days, at the mercy of pirates onboard a lifeboat off the coast of Somalia.

On Easter Sunday 2009, Navy SEALS onboard USS Bainbridge took aim and killed three of the Pirates who held Phillips hostage. 

Since homeport for the Bainbridge is Norfolk, it seems fitting he would come to Norfolk to thank the ship's crew for saving his life.

WAVY.com's Eric Harryman talked to Captain Phillips and asked him if during his days floating in the ocean as a hostage, it ever entered his mind that Navy SEALs would be able to get close enough to take good aim and fire.

"To be honest, I thought it was incumbent upon me to try and make a situation that would enable them to help. I didn't think they would be able to get the opportunity they did. They are just a great bunch of guys, who you could never pick out of a crowd. They're truly professional, patriotic Americans who do a great job, but never really get recognized for what they do and in fact shun any kind of recognition or acknowledgment and that's really too bad," said Phillips.

Part of the ceremony Thursday will take place onboard USS Bainbridge and Phillips will help kick off two piracy exhibits at Nauticus in Norfolk. Both those exhibits will open to the public on November 21. Captain Phillips will also receive the inaugural National Maritime Valor Award.