Cargo ship captain rescued from pirates

MANAMA, Bahrain (CNN) -- Navy snipers opened fire on pirates holding an American cargo-ship captain hostage after seeing that one of the pirates "had an AK 47 leveled at the captain's back," a military official said Sunday.

Three pirates were killed and the captain was rescued uninjured, Navy Vice Adm. Bill Gortney told reporters. Capt. Richard Phillips -- who had been held hostage by four pirates since they attacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, on Wednesday -- was "resting comfortably" on the USS Boxer following his rescue Sunday night, according to the Navy.

Three of the pirates were killed when three pirates left on a lifeboat with Phillips were exposed to gunfire, the official said. A fourth pirate was aboard the nearby USS Bainbridge negotiating Phillips' fate when the shootings occurred, he said.

Phillips was "resting comfortably" on the USS Boxer following his rescue, the U.S. Navy said. Phillips contacted his family and received a routine medical exam, the Navy Central Command said in a statement.

A senior U.S. official familiar with the situation said Phillips was uninjured and in good condition after his rescue at 12:19 p.m. ET.

U.S. forces moved to rescue Phillips after seeing him in "imminent danger," a senior defense official told CNN. The official contradicted earlier reports that the captain jumped into the water, leaving three pirates aboard the lifeboat open to fire.

The defense officials said U.S. forces aboard the nearby USS Bainbridge -- who were negotiating Phillips' fate with a fourth pirate -- believed the captain's life was in danger.

The three pirates left on the lifeboat were exposed so shooters were able to get clear shots on them. The fourth pirate -- who was aboard the Bainbridge for negotiations -- was taken into custody.

Maersk Line Limited President and CEO John Reinhart called Phillips "a leader of men, a brave and courageous man." He said he has spoken with Phillips, and said the captain, is "feeling quite good."

Phillips and his family, through Reinhart, expressed gratitude to the U.S. Navy, particularly the SEALs. "I actually was more concerned for his family," said Adm. Rick Gurnon, head of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where Phillips had trained. "As a captain in sea, in a lifeboat, he was comfortable -- even if he was sharing it with Somali pirates."

Gurnon stressed that while Phillips' story had a happy ending, more than 200 mariners remain captives at sea.

"The pirates have a great business model that works for them: See ships, take ransom, make millions," he told reporters.

At the White House, President Barack Obama issued a statement saying, "I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer. His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew. We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region. To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes."

An administration official told CNN that Obama granted a Defense Department request to move ahead with the rescue operation, saying the president permitted the military to use appropriate force with a focus on protecting the captain's life.

Phillips offered himself as a hostage after the pirates stormed the U.S. flagged Alabama Wednesday morning, according to Maersk. Phillips tried to escape by diving off the 28-foot, covered lifeboat Thursday night, but one of the pirates dove into the Indian Ocean to retrieve him.

Once rescued, Phillips initially was taken Sunday to the Bainbridge, a guided-missile destroyer, then was transferred to the Boxer, the Navy said. The Norfolk, Va.-based Maersk Line Limited said in a statement that it was informed by the U.S. government early Sunday afternoon that Phillips had been rescued.

John Reinhart, Maersk president and CEO, called Phillips' wife, Andrea, to tell her the good news.

The ship's crew was "jubilant" when they received word, the statement said. "We are all absolutely thrilled to learn that Richard is safe and will be re-united with his family," Reinhart said. "Maersk Line Limited is deeply grateful to the Navy, the FBI and so many others for their tireless efforts to secure Richard's freedom."

--CNN's Zain Verjee and Barbara Starr contributed to this report.