Captain phillips biography

Captain of the hijacked MV Maersk Alabama in 2009

For the 2013 movie, see Captain Phillips (film).

Richard Phillips (born May 16, 1955) is an American merchant mariner and author who served as captain of the MV Maersk Alabama during its hijacking by Somali pirates in April 2009.^[1]

Early life and education

Of Irish descent, Phillips was born in Massachusetts^[2] and graduated from Winchester High School in 1973.^[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 1979.^[5] During his schooling, Phillips worked as a taxi driver in Boston.^[6]

Career

Maersk Alabama hijacking

Main article: Maersk Alabama hijacking

On Ap