Maersk Line Limited and Waterman Steamship Corporation are being sued by a maritime worker who was on board the Maersk Alabama when it was hijacked by Somali pirates. The worker, a head cook on the ship, claims the shipping companies knowingly placed his life in danger.

Now, the head cook on the ship, Richard E. Hicks, has filed a lawsuit against the shipping companies involved. According to the lawsuit, the Maersk Alabama had experienced near-pirate attacks when armed gangs attempted to board the ship on two separate occasions that same week. According to Hicks, the crew had several meetings over the past three years in which they made suggestions about dealing with pirates. All the suggestions, he claims, were ignored by the companies.

Hicks is seeking $75,000 in damages, stating he probably will not return to life as a maritime worker. He is calling for maritime workers aboard vessels to be armed, so they can defend themselves against pirates. He is also calling on shipping companies to re-route their vessels, in order to avoid pirate-infested waters.

Suggestions for Safety are Rejected by Maritime Authorities

Neither of these suggestions are very attractive to shipping companies and maritime authorities. Arming workers with sophisticated weapons, the Coast Guard believes, will open companies to the risk of liability if a worker is shot, and will set off a dangerous armed race with pirates. The re-routing option has been rejected by shipping companies for whom such detouring would involve a huge expense. Many companies have expressed their unwillingness to re-route vessels during these difficult economic times.

With piracy still a threat and current anti-piracy training for maritime workers too weak to address its dangers, it is clear shipping companies will have to address the problem assertively.  If arming and detouring are not options, then we, the maritime lawyers and safety advocates of the world, need to brainstorm and come up with other techniques so maritime workers can be safe on the seas.