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Detainling the Somali Piracy; Tornadoes Rip Up the South

Aired April 11, 2009 - 15:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: As they approached it, the pirates fired upon that U.S. Navy team. They made a hasty retreat, we are told. They did not want to endanger the life of Captain Phillips. They does not return fire. They simply withdrew very quickly when the pirates fired upon them. We are told Captain Phillips still says he is fine, that he is uninjured and OK. There has been a so-called proof of life since this.

The U.S. feels they have every reason to believe he is fine at this hour. Another development we can bring you up to date on, we're told by the same official that this lifeboat is now within 20 miles or so of the coast of Somalia. Much closer than people had thought it was. It had moved under its own power some considerable distance. That will indicate why the U.S. Navy is so concerned, continues to shadow the lifeboat very closely. They certainly do not want this lifeboat to go back into Somalia.

Melissa.

MELISSA LONG, CNN HOST: Help us understand just so the viewers can get a full grasp of this why that would be so detrimental.

STARR: Of course, if, heaven forbid, this lifeboat were to make its way back into a Somali port and with a U.S. hostage on board, which the U.S. Navy says they will take all measures to prevent from happening. They will do everything they can to keep Captain Phillips safe. They don't want that to happen. Of course, Somalia is basically lawless territory. There's no functioning government in that territory. These pirates run amok, frankly, as criminals and bandits according to the U.S.

That is the view of what is going on some Somalia, and they certainly don't want any American citizen held there against their will. So the "Bainbridge" is there. The U.S. is keeping an extraordinarily close eye on this lifeboat. The strategy at the moment is to try and convince these pirates to peacefully give up, that there's no hope of them going anywhere. There's no option for them. They simply must turn Captain Phillips back over to the U.S. Navy, turn themselves in, that no one is coming to help them and that the incident should be concluded as rapidly as possible.

I want to emphasize again, the official we spoke to knows that the Phillips' family might be listening. There is a very great desire to make sure that the U.S. Navy's view at the moment is that the captain is uninjured, that he is OK after all of this, and they're going to make every effort, they say, to try to get this incident resolved peacefully. Melissa.

LONG: From Bahrain, Barbara Starr. Thank you, Barbara.

Now the U.S. cargo ship has just arrived in Mombasa, Kenya, of course without his captain, with out Captain Phillips. He is as we have just been telling you miles away in a life boat in the Indian Ocean.

Let's find out more about the ship that again had docked there at the port of Mombasa. Let's check in with Stan Grant, who's live there at the port with more on the fate of the "Maersk Alabama." Stan.

STAN GRANT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Melissa, the "Maersk Alabama" here now docked safely at Mombasa, Kenya. The ship came in around an hour or so ago. We got actually close enough to see the crew members. These are the crew members who have lived through this extraordinary saga over the past couple of days. These are the crew members who managed to regain control of this ship from the pirates.

Now, security is being placed to try to keep us away from them. That is to get close enough to yield a few questions at the crew members, bearing in mind, though, probably a good 10 to 15 feet away from me. But I asked what happened when the pirates came aboard? One of the crew members said he was woken at 7:00 a.m. when the pirates climbed aboard. I said how did you react? He said, I was scared. I asked them, were they armed? He said yes, they were. I then said, what happened? How did you manage to get control of the ship? He said that a few of the crew members were able to hide out in another part of the vessel and that's how they were able to get control.

Another of the crew members that I asked said that Captain Phillips is a hero. They say that he saved the alliance. I said how could that happen? We simply couldn't hear the response from them. The crew members looked in good spirits, they looked in good health. They were working right up to the moment that the ship docked. They were using their ropes and so on to drag the ship into the dock. This was a working crew. They were surrounded by -- by armed security. We saw the armed security guards moving about on the various parts of the ship as well.

The security, the crew members themselves did look in good spirits and in good health. One of the crew members said he was looking forward to getting home and seeing his family. And he was able to joke what he was looking forward to now is a steak dinner.

LONG: If that's what he wants, that's exactly what he should get. You mentioned, of course, they want to go home understandably. Any indication as to when they will be able to travel back home?

GRANT: Yeah. What happens from here was very unclear. There is security that has been put between us. The cargo containers have been placed between us and the ship, and it's very difficult to see what is happening now. The crew members have emerged from the ship. They're being met by representatives of the merging shipping company. And also members of the FBI we are told want to question the men as to exactly what happened on the ship, what happened when the pirates came aboard? How did they regain control?

We are also hearing the men may be released from here as early as tonight from the airport and sent back to the United States. All of those questions still to be answered. Right now, there is quite heavy security presence between us and the crew members.

LONG: Stan Grant, live for us in Mombasa, Kenya. Stan thank you.

Now Captain Phillips family and friends understandably watching the developments so closely, hoping the standoff will end peacefully. Today CNN's Susan Candiotti spoke with a friend of Phillips, who's also a skipper. She joins us live from the Maritime Academy, which is in Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts.

Susan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SUSAN CANDIOTTI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a miserable day out here in the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the pouring rain. We were able to talk with some of the people who actually knew Captain Rich Phillips, who know him and in fact one a classmate of his from some 30 years ago. So he can appreciate the kinds of things that he must be going through and I asked him about that.

CAPT. JAMES STAPLES, FRIEND OF CAPT. PHILLIPS: I'm sure he's staying very, very positive and he's just thinking about getting home and being with his family again and getting out of a situation as soon as he can.

CANDIOTTI: Tell us about him.

STAPLES: Richie's just a great guy. He was always a -- a good friend at school. He was very -- very energetic. He was always in a good mood. He was always smiling. He always had a joke. He's just an overall great guy.

CANDIOTTI: Now, as we just heard from my colleague Stan Grant, now that the crew members from the ship are back in port in Mombasa and will presumably coming back to the United States, a lot of people want to get details. Need also to say law enforcement, his former classmates here and current -- and current people going through the academy here wanting to know precisely what happened to them so they can learn, in turn, from that experience.

Hopefully, of course, an experience that no one will have to go through again. But this is like a family here and Captain Richard Phillips is one member of that family and one that they want to see home very soon.

Melissa.

LONG: CNN's Susan Candiotti, live for us from Buzzard Bay, Massachusetts, Susan thank you.

I want to point out to you that the Maersk Shipping Company is scheduled to hold a news conference 23 minutes from now live from Norfolk, Virginia. Maersk's CEO was expected to give an update on the status of the crew in Mombasa, Kenya.

Coming up at 3:30 Eastern we will bring it to live as soon as it starts.

Also, the company set up an e-mail address for anyone who wants to send messages of support for the captain and his family. The address, Maersklinelimited.com. That's the Website. Tonight at 8:00 Eastern, a CNN Special Investigation "Somali Pirates: Can They be stopped?" CNN takes you inside a story that captures the world's attention. That's tonight at 8:00 Eastern.

Now, across so much of the southeast, terrifying moments as tornadoes drop from the sky. In Murfreesboro, Tennessee, near Nashville, tragedy for a young family. A twister killed a woman and her 9-week-old daughter and badly injured her husband. At least three dozen other people were injured, 250 homes damaged or destroyed.

Police say they believe as many as five tornadoes hit that city. Tornadoes were also spotted in several other states, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia. And there are reports of widespread damage. Now, as that system was moving east, it also battered the Carolinas. In South Carolina, authorities say a driver was killed while trying to avoid storm debris.

This Easter weekend will be a wet one in so many parts of the country. A little bit of rain for the Easter bunny, it seems. Karen Maginnis joins us live.

Hi Karen.

KAREN MAGINNIS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey Melissa, that Murfreesboro, Tennessee, tornado, they are estimating now it was an enhanced Fujita 3, that's ef-3 as we look at the Fujita scale. Gives us kind of a measure of damage. An ef-0 would be light damage. As we go further up the scale, that means there is more damage to report. Certainly Murfreesboro at a 3 is significant damage. This time of year, prime time for tornadic activity.

Now we are watching that shift a little bit. We are zooming in on essentially the southwestern corner of the United States. So pretty much from west Texas, but we are seeing some thunderstorms fire up. Nothing substantial at this point. You will see gusty winds and some heavy rainfall. But we're not going to see the big storms until it warms up just a little bit more and it will be across this area of west Texas that we will focus on. Generally speaking in this area.

But right across the four corners region, this is where we are looking at snowfall. Already in Flagstaff, Arizona, to the west of Phoenix in beautiful territory, they picked up an inch, inch and a half of snowfall. Let's show you about the temperatures that we are expecting coming up for tomorrow, if you're headed off, oh, want to go do golf, maybe some tennis. They will be golfing, maybe a little golf tournament near Augusta coming up tomorrow. Looks like it will be party cloudy with a slight chance of showers with temperatures in the 70s; Boston will be about 46 degrees. Temperatures in the southwest, mostly in the mid-to-upper 70s.

Melissa, back to you.

LONG: A little golf tournament. A green jacket that some people want to have. Karen, thank you so much.

Here are some of the other stories making news at this hour. From Italy, signs of life under the wreckage five days after a strong earthquake. Rescuers are digging urgently but, of course, carefully. They think someone may be alive in the rubble of a building that pancaked in Monday's 6.3 quake. Search dogs picked up a strong human scent. Nine people, one alive, had been pulled from the rubble in the very same pile of debris. The earthquake death toll rose today to 291 people.

Trouble in Thailand today. Protesters crashing a 16-Asian nation summit. The leaders had to be air lifted to safety. Their meeting at the Thai Beach Resort canceled now. The protesters calling themselves red shirts. They say the Thai prime minister was not democratically elected and they want him out.

A U.N. response to North Korea's missile launch appears to be gaining some traction. China now floating the idea of a presidential statement from the U.N. to condemn last weekend's launch. That response would not be as strong as the U.N. Security resolution. Today Japan appeared to be backing off its demand for a resolution. The vote could come next week.

Signs of hope in this tough economy. We will check in with one of the unemployed workers we are following in our jobless but not hopeless series.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: The Maersk Shipping Company is holding a news conference in Norfolk, Virginia, about 15 minutes from now. The Maersk's CEO is expected to give us an update on the status of a crew in Mombasa, Kenya. Coming up at 3:30 in the afternoon Eastern. We should point out that the company has also set up an email address if you would like to send messages of support to the captain and his family. You can see the address it is -- actually, you can't see it, I will tell you what it is, URL, Maersklinelimited.com. Now, a statewide job fair in New Hampshire offers 1,500 jobs and about 10,000 people showed up to try to get those jobs.

Organizers expected to draw about half that number. They stopped allowing people in after two hours. Because of this massive turnout, another job fair will be held, we're told, but not for a few months.

A sign of hope for job hunters. Some economists see hiring picking up by the end of the year. Unfortunately, millions of Americans are finding themselves out of job. We are following ten in our jobless but not hopeless series. We have an update from Fredricka Whitfield.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FREDRICKA WHITFIELD (voice over), CNN CORRESPONDENT: Dominic Granata was laid off after 16 years with a telecommunications firm. He said he was stunned because he had been promoted several times. But it didn't matter, the company went bankrupt. As Granada sets off each day in search of a new job, he hopes he can turn his skills into an asset for a new employer.

DOMINIC GRANATA, LOOKING FOR WORK: Something in logistics or order management or an analysis position, where I can help the company cut costs.

WHITFIELD: We first met him in mid-March at a Georgia unemployment office, two weeks after he lost his job.

GRANATA: I'm here to meet Mr. Shelley.

(UNIDENTIFED FEMALE): Your name is?

GRANATA: Dominic Granata.

WHITFIELD: Now he is interviewing with recruiter David Shelley, the middleman between Granata and companies that are still hiring in this recession. Shelly's helping Granata set himself apart from other candidates.

DAVID SHELLEY, JOB RECRUITER: Especially in today's market you really need to highlight driving costs out, your accomplishments. Look at this as a sales call on your part.

WHITFIELD: Since being laid off, Granata had to cut back on his lifestyle, focusing on what his daughters need.

GRANATA: I can live on peanut butter. But for -- for my eldest especially, it's impacting her in her first year of college as well and it's making it hard on me from that point of view.

WHITFIELD: But recruiters say things are looking up in the job market.

SUSAN ZINGARO, TEMPORARY JOBS SPECIALIST: My division is an attempt to hire division. When there's a recession, the temporary workforce is the first to go. On a comeback, the temp force is the first one back. We are seeing an increase in our orders. Companies are hiring. A little afraid to pull the full-time people back on their permanent payroll so they're using temporary people to do that.

WHITFIELD: Some light at the end of the tunnel for full-time jobs as well.

(UNIDENTIFED FEMALE): The perception out there overall is becoming a lot more positive. So you take January, for example. The forecasting was that hiring would resume mid-to-end of 2010. Right now, of course, we're a lot more optimistic in saying q-3, q-4 is when things will start to pick up. The overall feeling is a lot more positive.

WHITFIELD: The more solid your qualifications, the better. STEPHEN JOHNSON, JOB RECRUITER: That folks that hire right now are going to get the greatest talent available out there and will get less watered -- it will be more watered down. They will get less of the good talent if they wait to pull the trigger. Now is the best time to get the very best people available in the marketplace.

WHITFIELD: And Granata, for one, believes he has an excellent employment history.

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): We should be able to effectively start to facilitate some interviews.

GRANATA: Look forward to it.

Doing this on your own, right, it can be isolating and it can be part of the morale. So it's nice to get some good news for a change.

WHITFIELD: Fredricka Whitfield, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LONG: Nice to have some good news.

And there is another sign of an economic rebound. Temporary agencies are reporting an up tick in demand. Temp jobs are the first to go, and often the first to come back. Let's talk more about this. Stephanie Zingaro. Thank you for coming in on a Saturday.

SUSAN ZINGARO, TEMPORARY JOBS SPECIALIST: Nice to meet you.

LONG: You're optimistic about this as well. You think this is actually a good time to be looking for work?

ZINGARO: Absolutely, what you said temporary people the first to go and first to come back, we are seeing that happening. When the forecasts were made it would be 2010, we can't agree with that any longer. April itself, when we have only been in April for 10 or 11 days, we are seeing a really nice push towards the positive.

LONG: OK. But you may not get the exact job you want. You got to be flexible right now.

ZINGARO: Flexibility is what it's all about. And that's flexibility in title; it is flexibility in salary, location, hours. If you -- there are jobs out there. America is not out of work. And there are people being offered positions every day and those people are the ones that are flexible, broad-minded and I use myself as an example, if I were to lose my job today, I can't fully expect to go to another agency or recruiting firm and be hired as an executive vice president. I'd start over as a branch manager. If I found the company I wanted to go to work for, I would take any job they gave me and work my way back up.

LONG: You mentioned being broadminded and being flexible. How do you sell yourself that you're broadminded or flexible when you have your resume or cover letter? ZINGARO: I would stay away from the cover letter, more the voicemail or e-mail. You have to be a salesperson. Your product is yourself and you're selling yourself. If that's too hard for you to do, I cannot stress enough why you need a recruiter. We saw Dave Shelley a few minutes ago interviewing a gentleman. You absolutely need somebody that can present you with a package. At the end of the day, you still have to do that interview. You leave a voicemail asking if they received your resume. Did they receive your e-mail? That voicemail has to be positive and set you apart.

LONG: If you had been out of work for a bit, though, I understand how people may have a hard time propping themselves up and making themselves feel good and sell themselves.

ZINGARO: It's ownership. It's ownership. Your unemployment, unfortunately, is your ownership. But your employment will be your ownership as well. It is hard to get up. I'm not saying it will be easy. Some people will have to dig very, very deep to go back to that grind of, please hire me. But there's something about you that was someone employed you before and they will employ you again.

LONG: What are some of the industry, recession-proof industries, health care, and education, still the same? What other industries are going to start hiring again?

ZINGARO: Information technology is a big one. The federal government is infusing billions of dollars into the economy. Look at the federal government. Look at your state government. All of that work is going to come -- all of that money is going to bring work into every area of the country.

LONG: Susan Zingaro, executive vice president of First Pro Staffing based in Atlanta. Nice to meet you. Thank you.

ZINGARO: Nice to meet you, too.

LONG: We are going to continue with this topic again next hour. Our theme, spend it or save it? We will be looking at ways you can stimulate the economy. Whether or not you should be saving your money. Is now the time to refinance? Is now the time to buy a car? Should you stash it in your savings just in case? We are going to have a panel of experts join us; Josh Levs will be getting answers to your questions and suggestions as well. Send us your thoughts at Storiesatweekends@cnn.co , you can also log on to Josh's face book page.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Here are some of the other stories making news today. A California Sunday school teacher faces charges in the kidnapping and death of an 8-year-old girl. Sandra Cantu's body was found five days ago in a suitcase in an irrigation pond in Tracy, California. Police say Melissa Huckaby, whose daughters was friends with Cantu, owned the suitcase. CHIEF JANET THIESSEN, TRACY, CALIFORNIA POLICE: Almost 15 days ago, Sandra Cantu was reported missing from her North Tracy home here at the Orchard Mobile Estates Park. This past Monday her body was found in a suitcase in an agriculture collection pond two miles north from where we stand. Over the course of the investigation, agents and investigators from numerous agencies have been instrumental in identifying Melissa Huckaby as being responsible for Sandra's death.

LONG: Police say Huckaby revealed enough information when they questioned her that there was probable cause for an arrest. She is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

In suburban, New Orleans police are looking for gunmen who shot and killed three people, and two of them children. An 11-year-old is in critical condition today. Police in Terrytown, Louisiana say the gunman kicked down the door and opened fire. Investigators say they found marijuana and crack cocaine in the apartment. So far, no word on a motive for the attack. The apartment is a crime-ridden area.

The Maersk Shipping Company holding a news conference in Norfolk, Virginia, supposed to start in a matter of minutes from now. We will show you a live picture from Norfolk if we have it. We are waiting to hear from officials from the shipping company and give us an update on the status of the crew in Mambasa. And coming up at 3:30 Eastern Time.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LONG: Happening now word that the U.S. Navy launched a mission to rescue that American captain held by pirates in the Indian Ocean. U.S. officials tell CNN that groups of sailors tried to reach the captain Richard Phillips had to turn back when the pirates fired on them. The navy did not return fire. Military officials say Phillips' captors apparently tied him up after he tried to escape earlier. Other pirates are trying to reach the lifeboat to aid the kidnappers. A Somali journalist tells CNN one group of them turned back after seeing the U.S. Navy ships. Phillips' ship and crew arrived safely in Mombasa, Kenya in the last couple of hours.

What can you tell us in the few seconds we have?

CANDIOTTI: Well you know, Melissa, obviously here at the Massachusetts Maritime academy, they are playing close attention to this because Captain Rich Phillips is an alumnus. And the crew members, many of them went to school here and so there's that special connection they're paying extra close attention to what's been happening.

Joining us now is Captain Bushy, who is the lead instructor on the training ship here, the "T.S. Kennedy."

You've been hearing about some of the latest developments, briefly. We heard Barbara Starr, Pentagon correspondent; report that there was additional round of gunfire as a small boat approached the lifeboat. What do you make of that? BUSHY: I think that the Navy is just asserting -- making sure the -- the Navy making sure the pirates know they're there. That would be the most important message.

CANDIOTTI: And fortunately, we have word from a U.S. military official that Captain Rich Phillips appears...

LONG: Susan, my apologies, I need to break into your interview and take you live now to Norfolk, Virginia. We're hearing from the CEO, president of the Maersk Line Limited, that's John Reinhart.

JOHN REINHART, MAERSK LINE, PRES & CEO: As I think as all of you know, the Maersk Alabama has docked in Mombasa around 20:30 Local Time. The crew is safe, the ship is docked and we'd like to talk about a few of the items from that point.

Now that the ship is berth in this safe area of the port, we want to thank the government of Kenya for their efforts to help bring the ship safely in. They have been of great assistance.

Because of the pirate attack, the FBI has informed us that this ship is a crime scene. Therefore, we have to allow the FBI to begin the process to investigate the crime of the pirate attack. Therefore, the crew members will have to stay onboard the vessel. We will make sure they're safe. We know what food they want. We'll get the food to them. But they will not be able to have -- you will not be able to have access to the crew during the investigation.

Since this is an FBI process, we cannot tell you how long this process will take. What I can tell you is the company, the crew, is cooperating with the FBI to make sure it's expedited.

Media Mombasa has taken pictures, but they won't be able to speak with the crew. Earlier today I spoke with the vessel before she docked. I talked with First Mate Shane Murphy. What I expressed to Shane and to the crew was our sincere appreciation for their brilliant efforts and their bravery during this very difficult time. They've showed the professionalism of a true mariner. We're proud of the whole crew.

Also we talked to Shane and the crew, we thanked them for their dedication and asked them how the crew was doing and we got good reports back on the entire crew. One of the things that they did ask is make sure we do everything we can to bring home their captain.

So, therefore, our hearts, the crew's hearts, those of us at shore, that remain with the families of those who have not been reunited and particularly with the family of Captain Richard Phillips. We stay pretty close in touch with Andrea. I spoke with her earlier today. She had sent a message out to you yesterday and also a message to her husband last night. She's a very brave woman. She has support around and we're trying to make sure that she is protected.

That is one of the reasons we cannot gain access to the crew. We cannot do anything that impairs the investigation of this pirate attack, nor can we do anything that puts at risk her husband over the next day or so. The crew's relieved, obviously. It's been harrowing for them. It's been a very difficult time. Now with the "Alabama" safely in port, this is an FBI program. They're in control.

It has moved from the rescue, now investigation. After the investigation, we then move to repatriation, which is bringing our heroes home. When I spoke to the crew, they won't consider it done when they board a plane and come home. They won't consider it done until the captain's back, nor will we. Therefore, that's our first and only priority today and as we go into the incoming days.

Our prayers remain with Richard and his family. I have to tell you how grateful I am for our government agencies, the Navy, the FBI, every governmental agency has been brilliant and working tirelessly to help with the rescue of our crew, their safe return and also the efforts to negotiate the release of Richard Phillips.

I can't thank you enough for your professionalism. I also can't thank those of my staff ashore here in the town and the team of Mombasa for what they're doing to bring the ship home and help with Richard's recovery.

That team of support in Kenya is large, they're talented. It includes operational people, medical people, counselors, anything that we can do to help the crew and take care of their needs is being provided.

Our intentions are to repatriate and bring home the entire crew. We're working to have a replacement crew over in Mombasa as the investigation with the FBI is concluded, we will then work to bring all of our crew home. We feel it's the most humane way to get them reunited with their families.

In the meantime, we'll make sure that every crew member has a phone, has access, they can call their families, they can stay in touch. But that access will also be guided by the investigation. Until it's done, it may be limited. So, we will work through that process.

We have had tremendous support from the public. The outpouring of prayers, support, is from around the world and it is greatly, greatly appreciated by the company, by the crew and by their families.

Again, to reiterate, our immediate focus is singular. What do we have to do to help with the process to bring Captain Phillips home? So, I hope that you will appreciate that I'm not going to give specific answers on the investigation of the incident, on what is going on with the negotiations, because anything there could be a threat or risk to our primary purpose, the safe return of the captain. We will do our best to continue to update you in the days ahead. I would like to take a few questions and then have then conclude the briefing.

Yes, sir?

QUESTION: You said you spoke to Captain Phillips' wife. How did she sound? How is the family doing? What is Maersk offering to help the family?

REINHART: First of all, we have two of our colleagues there with Andrea and her children have just come home from college for the weekend now and to be with their mother. She's a brave woman. I'm inspired when I talk to Andrea, and she has one favor to ask, do what you have to do to bring Richard home safely. That means don't make a mistake, folks. We have to be perfect in our execution. And I won't go into any other details about assistance.

Yes, sir?

QUESTION: Can you tell us what type of man the captain is, why he would volunteer to do -- a thing like give himself up to them?

REINHART: Well, I'm not going to say he gave himself up, because that's speculating. But I can tell you he's a Mariner and he's one of the best. He's somebody who you would be proud to have as a friend and follow as a leader on a ship. He's a good man.

Any other questions?

Don't they get a chance?

Anybody over here? Yes, sir?

QUESTION: Sir, what are your recommendations to make the seas safe for future operations?

REINHART: You know, as we've said all along, our first priority since this occurred, safety of our crew, repatriation, get our folks home. Do what we have to do to execute that safely. What you're asking is something for the future. Until this investigation is done, I'm not going to speculate.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you. Please keep the crew and Richard and his family in your prayers. Thank you very much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, sir.

LONG: That is the president and chief executive officer the Maersk Limited out of Norfolk, Virginia. That was the a news conference we have been telling all day from rescued to investigation, then to repatriation. That's what the CEO is saying. But their primary concern right now, now that the ship, the "Alabama" has reached the dock and the port of Mombasa is the captain, who is still being held by priorities in the sea.

The CEO saying we cannot hurt the investigation or do anything that hurts Captain Phillips and we won't consider this done until the captain is home. The CEO taking a moment to talk about the conversation he's been having with Captain Phillips' wife, saying she's a very strong woman, stressing that you need to bring him home and make no mistakes is essentially what the CEO was saying that we have to be perfect in execution.

Stressing, again, can't really answer too many questions because this is now an active FBI investigation. It's the New York field office that's leading the investigation. They have the responsibility to handle that part of the world in Africa.

Let's go back to CNN's Susan Candiotti. A moment ago she was speaking with someone who knows the captain very well. She's at the Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay - Susan.

CANDIOTTI: Thank you, Melissa. I think one of the important things from this press conference is that now that the crew is back in port in Kenya, in a safe port, that the authorities want to make sure that they have access to their families but that, that access be in essence monitored. Clearly, they don't want any additional information to get out that might possibly bring harm, even accidentally, to Captain Phillips, who is still being held hostage.

Joining us now is Captain Bushy, who is the head of the training vessel here at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

You are, like, of course, Captain Phillips, an alumnus of this academy, though you did not know him, is that correct?

BUSHY: That's correct. I didn't know Richard.

CANDIOTTI: You had a chance to hear the press conference. What do you think of how the company handled this?

BUSHY: Mr. Reinhart did a great job. He's obviously is very concerned for his captain and he expressed great words about Richard's wife, and was a rather polite chastisement of everyone to be careful of what they say.

CANDIOTTI: And along those lines, what do you think the captain must be going through? At least we have word he seems to be OK, right now.

BUSHY: I think he's probably being as tough as he can be about it, but it's got to be trying on him. Not great conditions to be in, right now.

CANDIOTTI: In fact, don't know if you can see over our shoulder here, perhaps, Desmond, you can get a shot of that, this lifeboat -- if I get out of the way just a bit. You can see that this is something that is somewhat like the lifeboat that he is in right now. This one is a little bit smaller, is that right?

BUSHY: Yeah, a little smaller. Although it holds a couple more people, it's smaller.

CANDIOTTI: All right, and we have seen the inside of this before. The seating configuration is also a bit different, but we're talking about how many feet long?

BUSHY: Twenty-seven feet long.

CANDIOTTI: Close quarters. There are only four people in it, but it's run out of fuel. You don't have water. No sanitation. There's no bathroom on board. The conditions are awful.

BUSHY: Well, I think they have water. There's water packets as part of the equipment that the boat has. But you're right about there's no bathroom and no washing facilities.

CANDIOTTI: Finally, your hope for Captain Phillips? BUSHY: Oh, I hope gets released as safely as soon as possible. Everyone at this academy is really concerned for that and we're praying for it. And our best goes out to the wife.

CANDIOTTI: I think everyone agrees with that, as well. That's it from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Melissa, back to you.

LONG: Susan Candiotti, thanks so much.

I want to remind our viewers tonight at 8:00 Eastern, there's a CNN special investigation, "Somali Pirates: Can They be Stopped?" CNN takes you inside a story that has certainly captured the world's attention, again, tonight, 8:00 Eastern.

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LONG: According to the Defense Department, more than 33,000 American troops have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. A former Navy captain, Ed Nicholson, came across veterans struggling to recover from the physical and the emotional scars of war. What he did next transformed his retirement and makes him this week's "CNN Hero."

He joins us live from Washington to tell us about how he is now in retirement helping other veterans.

Nice to see you. Thanks so much for coming in on a Saturday.

CAPTAIN ED NICHOLSON, U.S. NAVY (RET): Thank you.

LONG: OK. So, tell us about your organization and where the inspiration came about.

NICHOLSON: Well, the inspiration came about when I was in Walter Reed myself undergoing some postoperative surgery and recovery and I saw the wounded fellas there. That led me to think maybe in my retirement I could do something to help them. We got together with some other folks in the Washington area and the next thing you know, we had a program going with the help of the staff at Walter Reed.

LONG: Well, we're looking at video of you fishing. So obviously, that is the program. It's called "Project Healing Waters." How do you think this is helping the veterans?

NICHOLSON: Well, No. 1, it gets them out of the hospital. And it's not just the veterans at Walter reed and other military hospitals, but at veterans' affairs hospitals around the country, too. Gets them out. Gets them in beautiful places. They can concentrate on doing things that most find very enjoyable. Fishing has that aspect to it. And they can set aside some of the troubles that are bothering both physically and emotionally.

LONG: Help us understand how the programs works, how they become involved with it and then how long it takes and, of course, I imagine you also met many of the people who have been a part of this.

NICHOLSON: Oh, naturally. The program and I emphasize the word program, involves getting the staff at the hospitals, both military and veterans hospitals engaged, along with the patients and participants and then the volunteers that usually come from clubs, fly-fishing clubs or other clubs, such as Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly-Fishers. Bringing in all three of those groups together and starting a program where we instruct, we help them learn how to be a fly-fisherman. And then, of course, we take them fly- fishing later.

LONG: What is it like to go fly-fishing?

NICHOLSON: You've never been fly-fishing?

LONG: I have never been fly-fishing.

NICHOLSON: Oh, my gosh. Well, it's just great. I enjoy it tremendously. It's not a real hard sell to anybody and especially guys even that have never had a fly rod in their hand. Just getting out, having the motion of a fly rod and the line going through the air and having it land where fish hopefully is and then also hooking up.

LONG: It's an opportunity to be out in nature. Of course, among other people who know exactly what you're going through, as well. Again, this program is Project Healing Waters, and you are a "CNN Hero." Thanks so much for your dedication to it and thanks so much for sharing your story, as well.

NICHOLSON: Let's go fly-fishing.

LONG: I would love to. Thank you. Have a wonderful weekend.

Sports arenas are stepping up to the environmental plate. We're going to tell you how Atlanta's Phillips arena brought its game to the green transformation.

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LONG: Going green. It's not just for new construction. Atlanta's Philips Arena is winning awards for its environmentally friendly makeover. Here's CNN's Reynolds Wolf.

REYNOLDS WOLF, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It may not be apparent to these hockey fans, but their arena has gone green. Atlanta's Philips Arena recently won the first LEED certification for operations in maintenance of an existing building of its type. The program recognizes structures that protect the environment.

BRANDON JONES, SOUTHFACE ENERGY INSTITUTE: Can be sustainable purchasing, energy usage, water usage.

WOLF: The 10-year-old home to the NBA Hawks and NHL Thrashers is being retrofitted with some of the latest environmental technology. Philips Arena management says they now use environmentally friendly cleaning supplies and purchases 75 percent of its ongoing consumables, like toilet paper and office supplies, from recycled or sustainable sources, and they urge fans to recycle, everything from soda bottles to programs. And when it came time to remodel the suites, the old ones didn't end up in the trash.

BARRY HENSON, VP, BUILDING & EVENT OPERATIONS: The carpet that was on the floor here is being reused in another place in the buildings. We reused the entire ceiling, the tile, light fixtures are all from the previous suite.

WOLF: Behind the scenes, they're composting kitchen scraps, recycling grease and filtering the air to better than hospital standards. So, question is, has it been more expensive for the arena to go green? Management says no.

HENSON: Overall I think it's a wash. If you look at the right products and choose your products based on longevity.

WOLF: up next -- everything from replacing low-flow bathroom fixtures with waterless counterparts to recycling water to making hockey ice.

BOB WILLIAMS, PRES, PHILIPS ARENA: The condensation from the air conditioning, we want to capture it, store it and then make the ice from that.

WOLF: Arena management says they hope fans take pride in their environmental initiatives and do their part.

Reynolds Wolf, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LONG: A Florida woman needs 25,000 Easter baskets by tomorrow morning. She's going to tell us why.

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LONG: A Florida woman has a big Easter deadline. She has just a few hours left now to gather 25,000 Easter baskets for needy children in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area. To do that Essie Reed, also known as "Big Mama" is asking for help, a lot of help, understandably. She joins us live from Plantation, Florida.

Thanks so much for joining us, especially since this is the 11th hour for you.

ESSIE "BIG MAMA" REED, NEEDS EASTER BASKETS: Yes, it is.

LONG: So, tell me how far along you are towards meeting your goal.

REED: Right now we raised up 15,398. And while we was at the park some others came in.

LONG: OK, so you are desperate then to meet that deadline. What do you need people to do at this point to help you to meet this deadline?

REED: We need them to go to the store, buy the basket already ready so we can take to Florida City on Sunday.

LONG: Tell me about the children that will benefit and why this is something you have done year after year.

REED: These are children that parents are not able to give. Parents lack of a job. Just home every day trying to make ends meet, doing hair, using drugs, and just don't have no way. The grandmother tries to do the best they can to help their kids, their grandkids.

LONG: Now this is something you've been doing for more than 30 years, now. What was your initial inspiration?

REED: My life. It all begins about "Big Mama," herself and her family.

LONG: Explain what you mean by "my life." you've seen some pretty tough times.

REED: Oh, yes. My husband walked out and left me with my baby was just a month old. I have three boys. And I didn't have anything. It was in the fish market. We slept on the concrete floor of the fish market, no place to live. And the guys at Faith Farm would come over and help me. They bought turkeys, they bought toys, they bought baskets, they would make them, hand-make them and bring them, make sure that my boys had. And from that point on this is what I've been doing because this is my gift that God had given me.

LONG: And your boys who are now grown men help you every year with this.

REED: Every year, all day long, every day.

LONG: Just wrapping up, I want to just say volunteers often say they get so much more in return than they ever give. Is that how you feel about this?

REED: I get that love, that joy, and that special smile when I see my children's smiling faces.

LONG: Essie "Big Mama" Reed with an important deadline, some 25,000 Easter baskets by tomorrow. Thanks for talking to us about this project you've been working on for some 30 years and this awesome challenge you have ahead of you.

Thank you, and happy Easter.

REED: Thank you and happy Easter to you.

LONG: Here's some of the stories happening right now. Word that the U.S. Navy launched a mission to rescue that American captain held by pirates in the Indian Ocean. A U.S. official tells CNN a group of sailors tried to reach the captain, Richard Phillips, had to turn back when the pirates fired on them.

A California Sunday schoolteacher facing charges in the kidnapping and death of an 8-year-old girl. Sandra Cantu's body was found five days ago in a suitcase in an irrigation pond in Tracy, California. Police say Melissa Huckaby, whose daughter was friends with Cantu, owned the suitcase. Parts of Tennessee are still struggling after a severe storm. In Murfreesboro, near Nashville, a twister killed a woman and her 9-week- old daughter. The woman's husband and dozens of others were also injured. Approximately 250 homes were either damaged or destroyed.

And now, spend it or save it? All hour, this hour we're giving you practical solutions on how to make the most your money, and breathe some new life into our lagging economy. Right now, car dealers are trying to steer business in their direction. We're going to put you in the driver's seat to get the best deal.

Of course, making the most of your mortgage, why now may be one of the best times in history to refinance. And, yeah, we all money doesn't grow on trees, but you can save a lot of greenbacks if you develop a green thumb. I'm Melissa Long in today for Fredricka Whitfield and you are in the CNN NEWSROOM.