American ship captain Richard Phillips tried to swim away from his Somali captors Friday but was quickly recaptured, as another pirate ship and a U.S. warship headed to the scene about 200 miles off the coast of Somalia.

Somali pirates are increasing the frequency of their attacks and targeting larger ships, targeting oil supertankers and grain cargo vessels. Experts explain the rise in modern-day piracy and the efforts among the international community to curb the problem.