WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The alleged pirate apprehended by the U.S. Navy after the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama is en route to New York , according to defense officials . The USS Bainbridge tows the lifeboat in which Capt . Robert Phillips was held for days . He was handed over to federal authorities by the U.S. military in Djibouti , the officials said . The suspected pirate , known in official documents as `` Pirate Defendant , '' was brought to Djibouti aboard the USNS Walter S. Diehl , a refueling ship that was with the warship USS Bainbridge at the scene of the failed hijacking that turned into a hostage ordeal 350 miles off the Somalian coast . Three pirates who were holding the Maersk Alabama 's captain in the ship 's lifeboat were killed by Navy SEALs . The survivor had surrendered and was aboard the Bainbridge when the captain , Richard Phillips , was rescued , officials said . From the Bainbridge , he was transferred to the USS Boxer for medical treatment . He was wounded when crew members of the Maersk Alabama took him hostage in the early hours of the pirate attack on the cargo ship , according to the military . See an interactive map of 2009 pirate attacks off the Horn of Africa » . The crew members had hoped to exchange him for their captain , but the pirates did not release Phillips when the crew returned their captive . `` I 'm mad because , you know , I could have been dead right now , '' Ken Quinn , the Maersk Alabama 's navigation officer , told CNN Radio Monday . `` But at the same time he 's just a little skinny guy , you know , from Somalia where they 're all starving and stuff . '' Quinn said he was n't angry at the single alleged pirate , noting piracy in the region is fueled by the desire to survive hardship and poverty . He said the suspect told him he wanted to go the United States , and asked whether Quinn could help him get there . `` I said , 'Yeah , you 're probably going to go anyway -- I do n't think you 're going to need my help , ' `` Quinn said . `` If he goes to jail here , it will be a whole lot better than living in Somalia . '' CNN Radio 's Steve Kastenbaum in New York contributed to this report .
Alleged pirate known in official documents as ` ` Pirate . '' Alleged pirate sent to Djibouti aboard the SS Walter S. Smith , a merchant ship . Handed over to federal authorities by the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti , officials said . Diehl was with the destroyer USS Bainbridge at the scene of a failed hijacking .