Captain Richard Phillips

Captain Richard Phillips is a merchant mariner, author, and public speaker with a career in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Phillips graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and built a career in commercial shipping, becoming a member of the International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots Union and a licensed American merchant mariner. Following a widely publicized pirate attack, Phillips continued to serve as master of the vehicles carrier M/V Green Bay before retiring.

Phillips became the focus of international attention when Somali pirates attacked and boarded his ship, marking the first successful pirate seizure of a U.S.-flagged vessel in modern history. The ship was transporting U.S. food aid to Somali refugees in Kenya. During the incident, Phillips made the decision to offer himself as a hostage to protect his crew, leading to a standoff in which he was held captive in a lifeboat. U.S. Navy personnel ultimately intervened, resulting in Phillips’s rescue.

Phillips recounted the events in the book "A Captain's Duty," co-written with Stephan Talty. The book became a New York Times Bestseller and received coverage from major media outlets including USA Today, Associated Press, New York Daily News, CNN, and ABC News. Phillips has appeared on television programs such as Dateline NBC and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and was featured in NBC's People of the Year. The story was adapted into the film "Captain Phillips," starring Tom Hanks, which premiered at the New York Film Festival and received multiple Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and BAFTA Award nominations.

Phillips delivers keynote speeches on leadership, resilience, crisis management, and decision-making under pressure, drawing on his maritime experience and the events aboard the Maersk Alabama. His presentations have been featured at organizations across industries, offering insights into service, teamwork, and navigating adversity.