until U.S. Navy snipers on a nearby ship fatally shot three pirates , rescued Phillips and arrested a fourth pirate . 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 . 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 .