Chief Engineer Mike Perry led the defense of the ship Maersk Alabama against a group of Somali Pirates in April 2009. After securing the crew safely in the engine room, Mike took control of the ship's systems to swamp the pirate's boat and then kill all power to prevent the pirates from steering the ship toward land. Mike then left his homemade fortress, armed only with his work knife, to capture the leader of the pirates and eventually negotiate the release of hostages. When that release didn't go as planned, Mike led the crew in restoring the ship's systems in order to pursue the escaping pirates until the US Navy arrived.Upon return to his Tampa, Florida, home, Mike was hailed as an American hero. He was immediately invited to Washington, D.C., to testify before Congress about shipping safety and anti-piracy. Future crews will be safer because of Mike Perry's ingenuity and bravery.