Suit alleges crew sent into pirate-infested waters without protection . The suit says the ship was carrying a cargo of cocaine and marijuana when it ran aground in Belize on June 8, 2010. Maersk Alabama was hijacked by pirates April 8 . Plaintiff Richard Hicks , of Royal Palm Beach , Florida , was the ship 's steward .
Suit alleges crew sent into pirate-infested waters without protection . Representatives of ship 's owners have yet to comment . Maersk Alabama was hijacked by pirates April 8 . Plaintiff Richard Hicks , of Royal Palm Beach , Florida , was the ship 's steward .