From his harrowing ordeal with Somali pirates, Capt. Richard Phillips learned three important things: "You are much stronger than you'll ever know;nothing is over 'til we choose to give up;and a dedicated, motivated, focused team can overcome most any obstacle." The importance of those points was reflected on the opening day of the 35th annual International WorkBoat Show in December in Phillips' fast-paced, dramatic keynote speech on the hijacking of the Maersk Alabama in 2009. He detailed everything from the piracy drill before the Somalis boarded to his rescue by Navy SEALs-much of which has been portrayed in his book and in the 2013 movie. In an answer to a question from the standing-room-only crowd estimated at around 800, Phillips said he endorsed weapons onboard. "I think we should have armed security, and crews definitely need training," he said, noting that piracy isn't just off Somalia but elsewhere around Africa, Asia and Latin America.
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