Captain Takes Legal Action After Hostage Situation

A law suit has been filed in Harris County, Texas, against Chevron USA and Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) by Captain Wren Thomas, a U.S. Merchant Mariner who was held hostage by Nigerian pirates for 18 days.

On October 23, 2013, six armed pirates boarded the C-Retriever, a supply boat captained by Wren Thomas. For six hours the thirteen member crew, engineer, and captain were held hostage in the water-sealed tank room. Thomas and his engineer were then kidnapped and taken to the Nigerian swamps and jungles where they were held for 18 days. The men were eventually released when their ransom was paid, and Thomas has reason to believe the ransom money will eventually end up in the hands of the terrorist organization, Boko Haram.  

The lack of safety measures, the major security breaches, and the disregard for Thomas’s wishes not to return to Nigerian waters all led to the traumatic hostage situation. Brian Beckcom will be representing Captain Wren Thomas in the lawsuit against the Louisiana-based company, Edison Chouest Offshore, Captain Thomas’s employer.

The action is being filed under the Jones Act. Some of the general allegations addressed are:

Defendants knowingly, intentionally and willfully sent their employees, including Captain Thomas into an area where pirates were attacking vessels and specifically targeting ECO vessels.

Defendants failed to take adequate steps to provide appropriate levels of security and safety for their employees, including Captain Thomas.

Defendants showed a willful, wanton and conscious disregard for the safety of Captain Thomas and other officers and crew of the C-Retriever.

In captivity, Thomas and his engineer were starved and suffered the physical and psychological trauma of being held captive. Among the trauma and injuries, Captain Thomas was rendered not fit for duty and unable to work for a period of time, unable to return to his calling, and caused him permanent physical and emotional injuries from which he shall never recover. As a result, Captain Thomas suffered a loss of earnings in the past, as well as a loss of future earnings and loss of earning capacity.

Captain Thomas is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

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