MANAMA , Bahrain ( CNN ) -- Efforts to protect ships from pirates in the waters off Somalia 's east coast face a tremendous challenge : The vastness of the area makes it difficult to get to ships that are in danger . The crew of the Maersk Alabama talked with media after the ship docked in Mombasa , Kenya . `` To put it in perspective , draw a box from Houston to Chicago to New York City down to Jacksonville , Florida . It 's an immense body of water , '' U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Bill Gortney told reporters Sunday . When the Maersk Alabama , a U.S.-flagged cargo ship , reported an attempted attack by pirates the day before the pirates successful attempt on Wednesday , `` our closest vessel from all the navies that were out there -- we have 16 navies that are patrolling those waters -- and the closest one was the USS Bainbridge , and it was over 300 nautical miles , '' Gortney said . The next day , when the Maersk company reported pirates had boarded its ship , `` we were closing Bainbridge as quickly as we [ could ] , but 22 knots , 300 miles , it takes a while to get there . '' View a timeline of the attack and its aftermath » . He added , `` There 's about a 10-minute window from when the pirates are able to get onboard that we have time to act . '' Things are different on the north side of Somalia , in the Gulf of Aden , where many piracy incidents have taken place . That area is `` a little bit more concentrated , '' Gortney said , speaking from Bahrain . `` We 've had more successful attempts '' at breaking up piracy efforts in that region , he said . `` But out on the east coast of Somalia , such a vast area , we simply do not have enough resources in order to cover all those areas . '' Gortney spoke to reporters by telephone Sunday after Navy snipers shot and killed three pirates who had held Maersk Alabama Capt . Richard Phillips hostage since Wednesday . Phillips was freed by the U.S. Navy uninjured . Watch how U.S. forces believed Phillips was in danger » . Phillips graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy , which trains mariners on the dangers of piracy , the president of the academy said . `` The sea is a dangerous place -- pirates [ are ] just one of the many dangers , '' Adm. Rick Gurnon of the academy told reporters after the rescue . The academy `` tries to educate you and prepare you to keep you from danger , but it does n't always work . '' He noted that while Phillips ' story had a happy ending , more than 200 mariners remain captives at sea , and called on the international community to beef up security in the waters by arming crews , increasing warships and reducing the ability of Somalis to obtain ships from coastal safehavens . `` It will certainly take hard work and money and focus , '' he said , `` but we 've got to stop it or we begin to risk lives in areas of the world that are vital for national security . '' Chris Voss , former FBI international kidnapping negotiator , told CNN that the pirates from the impoverished , war-torn nation need an alternative way to make money . `` Unfortunately , they found themselves in a position where they could start piracy in the region and it 's become a virus , '' Voss told CNN . `` It 's easy money ... and once it gets into a culture , it 's very difficult to get out , and the only way to get it out is attack on multiple levels . '' Asked whether he was concerned that this incident , including the deaths of three of the four pirates involved in the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama and the kidnapping of Phillips , could escalate violence in the region , Gortney responded , `` Yes ... This could escalate violence in this part of the world . No question about it . '' But some experts believe the rescue may help set a tone that will eventually deter piracy in the region . `` This one incident , if it is the only time that we take this robust action , will not deter , '' retired U.S. Army Brig . Gen. Mark Kimmitt told CNN . `` But this incident , the next incident , the next incident after that -- a long term pattern will certainly have a deterrent effect against piracy . ''
U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Bill Gortney : `` It 's an immense body of water '' Gortney : Size of a box from Houston to Chicago to Chicago to Florida , New York . Gortney : `` There 's about a 10-minute window ... that we have time to act '' Gortney spoke after U.S. Navy snipers killed more than 200 pirates , freeing Chicago hostage .