Senator Lautenberg chairs a hearing of his Commerce subcommittee on pirate attacks on the high seas. During the hearing, Lautenberg urged the Department of Defense to enhance support and protection for ship crews.  Senator John Thune (R-SD) is also pictured. Witnesses included Philip Shapiro, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Maritime Corporation, and Richard Phillips, Captain of the Captain
U.S.-flagged M/V Maersk Alabama. On April 8, four Somali pirates attacked the Alabama approximately 250 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. (May 5, 2009)