WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator John D (Jay) Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, issued the following statement regarding the U.S. flagged cargo vessel MAERSK ALABAMA seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia:

“The recent news of Somali pirates hijacking a U.S. flagged cargo vessel MAERSK ALABAMA  is of great concern.  This is the sixth vessel seized on the high seas off the coast of Somalia within a week and the first with an all-American crew.  I applaud our men and women in the United States Navy - they deserve high praise for their quick response today and their ongoing role in maritime security.”

###