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After arriving safely in Mombasa, Kenya, on Saturday night, the sailors aboard the first American ship to be attacked by pirates in 200 years have begun to tell their story. Negotiations are still under way to secure the release of the US captain being held hostage.

The tale of the men's fight against the pirates – which comes after French commandos raided a hijacked yacht – may mark a dramatic turning point as sailors and government forces begin taking a firm stand against pirates. There is, however, no indication that attacks will decrease in the immediate future.

Although the Maersk Alabama's crew, who are still being questioned by the FBI, CIA, and other US government agencies, has remained largely quiet about their ordeal, they spoke briefly to the press about their battle with the pirates. On Wednesday, the Somali raiders came at the ship from the stern, reports the Times of London, firing shots into the air, and boarding with hooks. The ship's captain, Richard Phillips, surrendered himself to the pirates in an attempt to save his crew.

[Crew member ATM] Reza, a father of one[,] told how he led one of the pirates to the engine room, where he stabbed him in the hand with an ice pick and tied him up.

The rest of the crew did not give more details, but have told family members by phone that they took one pirate hostage before giving him up in the hope their captain would be released. Instead, the Somalis fled with Captain Phillips to the lifeboat.

Captain Phillips remains in pirate custody, despite an escape attempt on Friday. As a US warship monitors the situation, American negotiators have been working with leaders from the pirates' village to broker a deal for the captain's release, but the Chicago Tribune reports that a compromise has yet to be reached. Village elders are demanding that the four pirates holding the captain be return to Somalia for prosecution, while the US has demanded their arrest.

The BBC reported that Somali elders were setting sail from the Somali town of Eyl in a fresh bid to resolve the situation. The pirates have warned the US not to try to take the captain by force.

In the latest attempt to end the stand-off, elders said to be related to the pirates set sail from the northern Somali town of Eyl. US military officials confirmed fresh negotiations were under way.

The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Mombasa says the main stumbling block is the pirates' demand to be allowed to return to land before returning the hostage.

While the crew members were relieved to have arrived safely in Mombasa, Kenya, the ship's original destination, many were still upset by their captain's continued detention. The Independent reports that one unnamed crew member confronted reporters on Saturday night, saying, "He's out there dying so we can live." The distraught mariner, angry with the media attention, then swore at reporters before smashing a cup and retreating below deck.

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