True story of captain phillips

Captain of the hijacked MV Maersk Alabama in

For the movie, see Captain Phillips (film).

Richard Phillips (born May 16, ) is an American merchant mariner and author who served as captain of the MV Maersk Alabama during its hijacking by Somali pirates in April ^[1]

Early life and education

Of Irish descent, Phillips was born in Massachusetts^[2] and graduated from Winchester High School in ^[3] His father, James Austin Phillips, was a teacher, head basketball coach, and assistant football coach at the high school.^[4]

Phillips enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and planned to study international law but transferred to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, from which he graduated in ^[5] During his schooling, Phillips worked as a taxi driver in Boston.^[6]

Career

Maersk Alabama hijacking

Main article: Maersk Alabama hijacking

On April 6, , the U.S.

Maritime A