US navy bears down on pirate boat

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   US military chiefs are bolstering their forces around the Horn of Africa to help tackle Somali pirates holding a US captain hostage in a drifting lifeboat.
   
   Gen David Petraeus said reinforcements would arrive within 48 hours, adding that a warship was near the lifeboat.
   
   Other hijacked ships with hostages are reported to be nearing the boat.
   
   Capt Richard Phillips was captured in a struggle on his ship, Maersk Alabama. Pirates seized the ship but the crew fought them off.
   
   FBI experts are helping negotiate his release.
   
   The vessel has now set sail for the Kenyan port of Mombasa under armed guard.
   
   'Criminals'
   
   The announcement of reinforcements came amid rising concern over the fate of Capt Phillips.
   
   Capt Phillips' sister-in-law Lea Coggino says he is "a smart guy who is in control"
   
   "The safe return of the captain is the top priority," US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told reporters in Washington.
   
   The cruise-missile carrying USS Bainbridge was sent to the scene in a move analysts say will strengthen the hand of US negotiators.
   
   The destroyer is shadowing the lifeboat, and its officers are talking to the pirates, as well as giving them food and batteries for a two-way radio.
   
   Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the attackers as "nothing more than criminals".
   
   "We are bringing to bear a number of our assets, including naval and FBI, in order to resolve the hostage situation and bring the pirates to justice," she said.
   
   Gen Petraeus said the additional US forces would "ensure that we have all the capability that might be needed over the course of the coming days".
   
   There are thought to be four pirates with Capt Phillips in the lifeboat, which has reportedly run out of fuel, and it is not yet clear what they are demanding.
   
   Capt Phillips has a radio and contacted the navy and crew of his ship to say he was unharmed, the Maersk shipping company said in a statement.

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