Drug Overdoses Suspected in Deaths of Ex-Navy SEALs on Maersk Alabama

CNN  is reporting that hypodermic needles and traces of narcotics were found with the bodies of two American security officers on the container ship Maersk Alabama, suggesting that the deaths resulted from drug overdoses, according to a Seychelles government official. … Continue reading

Tom Hanks to Play Captain Richard Phillips in Maersk Alabama Hijacking Movie

It is being reported that Tom Hanks will play Captain Richard Phillips in a new movie about the attempted hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates in 2009.    The movie, based on Phillip’s book , A Captain’s Duty: … Continue reading

Maersk Alabama Attacked for the Third Time – Will Armed Guards on Merchant Ships Become the Norm?

This week the Maersk Alabama was attacked by pirates for the third time in the last two years.    In April of 2009, pirates boarded the Maersk containership and took her captain, Richard Phillips, hostage.  He was later rescued when Navy sharpshooters … Continue reading

UK Government says “Don’t Pay Ransom and Don’t Arm your Ships”

Last week we posted about the International Chamber of Shipping’s concern that governments are not doing enough to combat piracy. Now the British government, after long opposing the payment of ransoms to free hijacked ships is also trying to discourage the … Continue reading