Richard Phillips

The world was transfixed to their television screens for five days in April 2009 when Captain Richard Phillips, the first American ship to be kidnapped in more than 200 years, was abducted by Somali pirates who took over his ship. On Wednesday, April 8th, a tiny crew of pirates boarded the Maersk Alabama, a container ship carrying food supplies to East Africa, using grappling hooks and ropes. This started the hostage drama. Many of the crew jumped on board the ship, firing into the air as they did so, and scurried into a designated safe chamber. The crew of 20 outnumbered the four pirates who had four seamen held at gunpoint on the bridge. They were able to restore control after using an ice pick to stab the pirates' apparent leader in the hand. The pirates had scuttled their own little boat when the crew ordered the other pirates to evacuate the ship. They wanted food, petrol, and an escape craft. Captain Phillips took the deliberate choice to put himself in danger in order to protect his crew, even though he was well aware that his actions would result in serious consequences. He presented himself as a hostage in the middle of the standoff. The sailors sought to exchange the kidnapped pirate for Captain Phillips when the pirates nestled into one of the ship's covered lifeboats. The pirates took Captain Phillips and nine days' worth of food supplies with them when they escaped after freeing their hostage. Except for the knowledge that he had done everything in his power to preserve the lives of the 20 men on board his ship, he had nothing to hope for or hold to while being held prisoner as a human shield in a tiny lifeboat with three pirates. While the USS Bainbridge's commander and the pirates were negotiating, the US Navy arrived on the scene. Captain Phillips attempted to swim a short distance toward the nearby destroyer on Friday, April 10th, after leaping from the lifeboat, but the pirates pursued him and were able to drag him back in. The standoff continued until April 12, when Navy SEAL snipers determined Capt. Richard Phillips was in "imminent danger" after observing one of the pirates point his AK-47 machine pistol at his back. I share the nation's respect for Captain Phillips' bravery and his unselfish care for his crew, said President Barack Obama in a phone conversation with Captain Phillips after he was liberated. His bravery serves as an example for all Americans. A Captain's Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALs, and Dangerous Days at Sea, written by Captain Richard Phillips, details his ordeal and extraordinary rescue. Columbia Pictures will be bringing this gripping tale to the big screen. Captain Phillips is a Massachusetts Maritime Academy alumnus, a certified American merchant mariner, a member of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots Union. In 2009, he was appointed Captain of the MV Maersk Alabama. In 1987, Captain Phillips wed Andrea Coggio. They live in Underhill, Vermont, and have two kids, Mariah and Danny.

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