Went to see it at pictures last night.......I highly recommend it, edge of seat stuff for a couple of hours.
Should be interesting to see how the current court case pans out regarding the narrative of the event given by Captain Phillips to the media and that as experienced by his officers and crew.
One of my thoughts was how much has been added to the movie version. Wasn't aware of the court case. Still makes for good entertainment
Strange women at times but actual pirates no. We did have steam hoses rigged on deck for transiting the Straits of Malacca but were never threatened. A big fat VLCC was a much more valuable target....
Quote: "Phillips wasn't the big leader like he is in the movie," said one crew member who worked closely with the captain, speaking anonymously for legal reasons. "No one wants to sail with him," he told the Post. http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/14/captain-phillips-tom-hanks-real-life-no-hero
A very messy case with big implications for the relationship between the Company and the Ships Master regardless of any HR issues with the ships company.
I read that he was instructed to sail 600+ miles offshore to be out of reach of the pirates but decided that 200+ was enough, it wasn't. He was informed of two small craft rapidly approaching and asked if the crew should go to their 'pirate stations' (lock themselves in their quarters) he said that the lifeboat drill needed to be carried out first! He sounds like a top class weapons grade knob to me.