Richard E. Hicks was the chief steward on the Maersk Alabama when the freighter was attacked by Somali pirates on April 8, 2009.

On April 27, 2009, Hicks filed a lawsuit against Waterman Steamship and Maersk Line, Limited, asking for at least $75,000 for pain and suffering. Hicks claims "the ship's owner did not take proper precautions against high seas attacks". Hicks said he filed suit in an attempt to improve conditions for other sailors.Houston Chronicle: Crew Member on Pirated U.S. Freighter Sues Shipping Line (April 27, 2009)

• "Waterman Steamship Corporation and Maersk Line Limited chose to rely on the United States Military and taxpayers to provide after-the-fact rescue operations. This choice caused substantially more cost and risk to human life than what would have been incurred by Defendants had they provided appropriate levels of security in the first place."—Terry Bryant, attorney for Richard HicksPR Newswire: Maersk Alabama Crew Member Files Lawsuit Against Employer (April 27, 2009)

• "We've had safety meetings every month for the last three years and made suggestions of what should be done and they have been ignored. I'm just trying to make sure this is a lot better for other seamen."—Richard HicksHuffington Post: Maersk Alabama Sailor Sues Company Over Pirate Safety (April 27, 2009)

On April 8, 2009, the Maersk Alabama was hijacked by Somali pirates while sailing to Mombasa, Kenya with relief supplies. Though the crew was able to regain control of the ship after 12 hours of fighting, the ship's captain Richard Phillips was taken hostage by the pirates.WSJ.com: Navy Ships Keep Watch Over U.S. Hostage, Pirates (April 12, 2009) After five days of captivity and at least one escape attempt, Phillips was rescued, uninjured, on April 12, 2009 when Navy snipers killed three pirates.CNN: American Captain Rescued (April 12, 2009)