Hollywood to the rescue

By Lloyds List Comment

??? 19 5? 2009

WHEN Richard Phillips, master of the Maersk Alabama, was seized and held at gunpoint by pirates for a few days before being rescued by US Navy Seals, he was instantly hailed a hero and now has a PR firm to represent him in recognition of his new celebrity status.

Should he choose, Capt Phillips could make a lot of money after appointing Creative Artists Agency to “help him navigate book and film offers.”

No-one should begrudge Capt Phillips the opportunity to benefit from his ordeal, and the publicity he has already generated could help draw attention to the plight of those still trapped on hijacked ships, and facilitate a solution to the piracy problem that is showing no signs of receding.

But contrast the case of Capt Phillips, who is now on three months’ leave while he ponders his future, with that of other officers who also were just doing their job, notably the master and chief officer the Hebei Spirit, both thrown into jail after their anchored tanker was holed by a barge that had broken free.

Piracy and the criminalisation of seafarers are two of the scourges of shipping today, and require a concerted effort by all sectors of the industry to both address the issues and also to explain to the outside world what is happening.

The maritime industry on its own cannot find an answer. Piracy requires political as well as navy intervention, while criminalisation has to be tackled through some sort of international understanding between different jurisdictions.

But what shipowners from around the world can do is to pull together through their industry bodies - notably the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Shipping Federation that have been holding their annual meetings this week to address both these and many other issues.

The ISF will be celebrating its centenary at a gala dinner in Greenwich tomorrow evening and there will be plenty of reminiscences.

But what is clear is that this venerable association still has a vital role to play - albeit perhaps with a little help from Hollywood if Capt Phillips sells his story.

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