Maersk Alabama docks in Kenya, "hero" captain hailed

MOMBASA, Kenya (Reuters) - A U.S.-flagged container ship that was briefly seized by Somali pirates earlier this week arrived safely in the Kenyan port of Mombasa on Saturday amid tight security.

The 17,000-tonne Maersk Alabama was attacked by gunmen far out in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday, but its 20 American crew fought off the hijackers and regained control of the freighter.

The captain of the huge vessel, Richard Phillips, was taken hostage and is still being held captive on a lifeboat by the gang of four pirates.

"The captain is a hero. He saved our lives by giving himself up," one unidentified crew member shouted over the ship's side to a posse of journalists waiting as it docked.

Another crewman wanted reporters to pass a message to loved ones back in the States: "I'm happy, I'm safe," he yelled.

The Norfolk, Virginia-based owner of the ship, Maersk Line Ltd, said earlier on Saturday that for "security reasons" the media would not have access to the vessel and crew in Mombasa.

In a statement, it said FBI officers at the port would debrief the sailors on board before they disembarked.

The world has been waiting to hear how the crew retook control of their vessel, which was carrying thousands of tonnes of food aid for Somalia, Uganda and Kenya.

There is also huge interest in how Phillips apparently volunteered to board the lifeboat with the pirates in return for his men's safety.

(Additional reporting and writing by Daniel Wallis; Editing by Katie Nguyen)