Pirated Ship Lawsuit Filed in Houston

HOUSTON - One of the crew members aboard the merchant ship Maersk Alabama, who survived an attack by Somali pirates, has filed a lawsuit against the company.

Richard Hicks, who lives in southeast Florida, was the chief steward aboard the ship. He was responsible for meals for the rest of the crew.

Hicks' lawsuit filed the lawsuit Monday morning in Houston, which names the Maersk and Waterman Steamship Company.

Hicks was among the crew members who took refuge in the vessel's engine room until the pirates left the ship.

In the lawsuit, Hicks is seeking damages which claim that the company was made aware of the pirate problem and did nothing to protect the crew.

Hicks said the lawsuit is not about the money, but that he wants fellow sailors to be protected.