Suit alleges crew sent into pirate - infested waters without authorization . Richard Phillips for the pirate hostage , but reneged on that agreement , the news release . Representatives of Alabama 's crew have yet to comment . The 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 authorization . Representatives of Alabama 's crew have yet to comment . The Alabama was hijacked by pirates April 8 . Plaintiff Richard Hicks , of Royal Palm Beach , Florida , was the ship 's steward .