(Host) Captain Richard Phillips of Underhill says he hasn’t been to sea since his dramatic rescue from Somali pirates in April. But Phillips says he plans to return to his ship next year. In the meantime he’s been busy with opportunities that arose as a result of his celebrity status.
VPR’s Steve Zind reports.
(Zind) Phillips was instantly famous in the wake of his capture and harrowing rescue at sea. Since returning home he’s thrown out the first pitch at a Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway, he’s met with President and Mrs. Obama, and he’s been honored with the "Shipmaster of the Year" award – the maritime equivalent of an Oscar. And there’s more. Speaking on VPR’s Vermont Edition, Phillips said he’s been spending time on two big projects.
(Phillips) "I’m involved with writing a book and there’s still an opportunity for a movie deal on the story, albeit, nothing’s in rock yet as far as the movie."
(Zind) Phillips says he still plans to return to his job of captain of the Maersk Alabama and expects to rejoin his crew next March, plying the same waters where he was taken hostage.
Phillips says the solution to combating piracy requires a number of changes – including placing small contingents of military guards on merchant ships. He also supports giving crew access to weapons.
(Phillips) "I don’t want to be armed to the teeth, and I don’t want it to be Dodge City. It would only be a few people who would be given the weapons. The captain of the ship would have the weapons under his control and at only certain times would he release them to certain people."
(Zind) Phillips says merchant ships operating in dangerous waters also need better designed safe rooms, where crews can go to protect themselves from pirates who have boarded a ship. He says good training was key to his crew’s ability to prevent pirates from capturing his ship.
For VPR news, I’m Steve Zind.