Richard Phillips is an American sailor known for his role in a high-profile maritime incident in 2009. He was the captain of the Maersk Alabama, a cargo ship that was hijacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia. Phillips was taken hostage, leading to a dramatic rescue operation by the U.S. Navy. After his rescue, Phillips became a public figure and authored a memoir titled "A Captain's Duty." His story was also adapted into a film called "Captain Phillips," starring Tom Hanks. The incident highlighted issues of piracy and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.