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September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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People File • Mariner

Richard Phillips

Richard Phillips is an American merchant mariner and author best known for being the captain of the MV Maersk Alabama during its hijacking by Somali pirates in April 2009.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

Richard Phillips is an American merchant mariner and author who became known worldwide as the captain of the MV Maersk Alabama during its 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates. He was held hostage in a lifeboat for several days before being rescued by U.S. Navy SEALs.

Who is Richard Phillips?

Born on May 16, 1955, Phillips built a career as a licensed merchant mariner after graduating from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. He later became an author, writing about his experiences at sea.

The Maersk Alabama hijacking

In April 2009, Somali pirates attacked and boarded the MV Maersk Alabama, taking Phillips hostage. He was held in a lifeboat during a five-day standoff that drew international attention and ended with a rescue by U.S. Navy SEALs aboard the USS Bainbridge.

Rescue and later life

After his rescue, Phillips returned to sea and served as master of the vehicle carrier M/V Green Bay. He wrote the book A Captain's Duty about the incident, which was later adapted into the film Captain Phillips. He retired in October 2014.

In short

  • Captain of MV Maersk Alabama hijacked by Somali pirates in April 2009.
  • Held hostage in a lifeboat; rescued by U.S. Navy SEALs.
  • Wrote A Captain's Duty, adapted into the film Captain Phillips.
  • Returned to sea after the incident and retired in 2014.

Quick questions

Who is Richard Phillips?
Richard Phillips is an American merchant mariner and author best known as the captain of the MV Maersk Alabama during its 2009 hijacking by Somali pirates.
What happened to Richard Phillips?
In April 2009, Somali pirates hijacked his ship, held him hostage in a lifeboat, and later released him after a U.S. Navy rescue operation.
How was Richard Phillips rescued?
He was rescued when U.S. Navy SEALs on the USS Bainbridge shot the pirates holding him in a lifeboat.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Phillips_(merchant_mariner)
    Supports: Birth date, occupation, Maersk Alabama captaincy, rescue, return to sea, and retirement timing.
  2. Navy League — https://www.navyleague.org/news/highlighting-our-heroes-capt-richard-phillips/
    Supports: Hijacking, rescue by U.S. Navy SEALs, later work on M/V Green Bay, and retirement in 2014.
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Phillips
    Supports: Identity, occupation, and confirmation that he is an American merchant mariner and author.
  4. DFI Events — https://dfi-events.org/dfi49/docs/Captain-Richard-Phillips-bio.pdf
    Supports: Graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy, marriage and children, and detailed account of rescue.
  5. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Captain's_Duty
    Supports: Authorship of A Captain's Duty and its adaptation into the film Captain Phillips.