military, and by extension, to the taxpayers of the United States, rather than provide basic anti-piracy prevention measures such as armed guards. Navy who rescued the shipping company from its poor decisions and the brave crewmembers who actually fought back against the pirates once they boarded the ship – despite the crewmembers being unarmed while facing pirates carrying automatic weapons,” says Brian Beckcom.Īccording to the lawsuit, Maersk essentially “outsourced” the security of the Alabama to the U.S.

“The real heroes are the men and women of the U.S.

That lawsuit settled before it went to trial in Mobile, Alabama on December 2, 2013. And the lawsuit further claims that the Alabama didn’t have adequate anti-pirate security measures. Maersk Alabama to sail directly into pirate-infested waters despite receiving multiple warnings to avoid the area.

But does Captain Phillips tell the whole story? And does the movie tell the story accurately?Īpproximately half of the crewmembers, represented by Brian Beckcom, are claiming that the shipping company, Maersk Lines Limited, willfully allowed the Navy, and specifically Navy marksmen, fatally shot all but one of the pirates and rescued Captain Phillips. On orders from President Obama, the brave men and women of the U.S. The captain and the crew were taken hostage, and the pirates took the captain, Richard Phillips, off the ship into a lifeboat. In April 2009, the Maersk Alabama cargo ship was attacked and captured by four Somali pirates less than 300 nautical miles off the Coast of Somalia. The movie received glowing reviews, and claims to be based on actual events. On October 11, 2013, a movie called Captain Phillips, starring Tom Hanks as Captain Richard Phillips, premiered nationwide. Does the movie Captain Phillips accurately show what happened on the Maersk Alabama?

Only the brave movie really happen