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Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and a Global Maritime Conspiracy
“A triumph of investigative journalism.” —Tom Wright, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Billion Dollar Whale
"Truly one of the most nail-biting, page-turning, terrifying true-crime books I've ever read." —Nick Bilton, New York Times bestselling author of American Kingpin
From award-winning journalists Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellel, the gripping, true-crime story of a notorious maritime hijacking at the heart of a massive conspiracy—and the unsolved murder that threatened to unravel it all.
In July 2011, the oil tanker Brillante Virtuoso was drifting through the treacherous Gulf of Aden when a crew of Somali pirates attacked and set her ablaze in a devastating explosion. But when David Mockett, a maritime surveyor working for Lloyd’s of London, inspected the damaged vessel, he was left with more questions than answers. How had the pirates gotten aboard so easily? And if they wanted to steal the ship and bargain for its return, then why did they destroy it? The questions didn’t add up—and Mockett would never answer them. Soon after his inspection, David Mockett was murdered.
Dead in the Water is a shocking expose of the criminal inner-workings of international shipping, told through the lens of the Brillante hijacking and its aftermath. Through first-hand accounts of those who lived it—from members of the ship’s crew and witnesses to the attacks, to the ex-London detectives turned private investigators seeking to solve Mockett’s murder and bring justice to his family—award-winning Bloomberg reporters Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellel piece together the astounding truth behind one of the most brazen financial frauds in history.
The ambitious culmination of more than four years of reporting, Dead in the Water uncovers an intricate web of conspiracy amidst the lawless, old-world industry at the backbone of our new global economy.
"Truly one of the most nail-biting, page-turning, terrifying true-crime books I've ever read." —Nick Bilton, New York Times bestselling author of American Kingpin
From award-winning journalists Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellel, the gripping, true-crime story of a notorious maritime hijacking at the heart of a massive conspiracy—and the unsolved murder that threatened to unravel it all.
In July 2011, the oil tanker Brillante Virtuoso was drifting through the treacherous Gulf of Aden when a crew of Somali pirates attacked and set her ablaze in a devastating explosion. But when David Mockett, a maritime surveyor working for Lloyd’s of London, inspected the damaged vessel, he was left with more questions than answers. How had the pirates gotten aboard so easily? And if they wanted to steal the ship and bargain for its return, then why did they destroy it? The questions didn’t add up—and Mockett would never answer them. Soon after his inspection, David Mockett was murdered.
Dead in the Water is a shocking expose of the criminal inner-workings of international shipping, told through the lens of the Brillante hijacking and its aftermath. Through first-hand accounts of those who lived it—from members of the ship’s crew and witnesses to the attacks, to the ex-London detectives turned private investigators seeking to solve Mockett’s murder and bring justice to his family—award-winning Bloomberg reporters Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellel piece together the astounding truth behind one of the most brazen financial frauds in history.
The ambitious culmination of more than four years of reporting, Dead in the Water uncovers an intricate web of conspiracy amidst the lawless, old-world industry at the backbone of our new global economy.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2022
About the author
Matthew Campbell
1 book69 followersMatthew Campbell is a reporter and editor for Bloomberg Businessweek and the co-author of Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and a Global Maritime Conspiracy. He has reported from more than 20 countries, covering crime, corruption, terrorism, climate change, and technology, among other topics. Matthew’s work has been recognized with some of the highest honors in journalism, including Gerald Loeb, Overseas Press Club, and Society of Publishers in Asia awards for feature reporting. A graduate of Yale and Oxford, he lives in Singapore with his wife and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
October 13, 2022
In 2011, the Billiante Virtuoso, a 900 foot long 160-foot-wide 53-foot draft tanker full of oil, was apparently attacked by Somali pirates off the coast of Yemen. But years of investigation finally proved something very different happened. The authors, journalists for Bloomberg, turned their reporting into this book detailing a crime in the complex world of shipping, the ambiguous laws that govern it, the insurers who make a living off it, the sailors who man the ships, the owners who amass fortunes from it. The book published in 2022 covers events right up to publication.
The book is true crime: Setting a ship on fire at sea, murder in Yemen, and a seemingly unsolvable case. Investigative frictions ensue: private investigators vs criminals, private investigators vs insurers, private investigators vs police, private investigators vs owners and others in the shipping industry and their connections. It’s a maze that takes a decade to untangle. Finding out who actually owns a ship is nearly impossible. There are numerous layers of shell companies and mystery directors. But there is not just the owner to find, the ship is run by a separate operations management company, the crew vetted and supplied by a different company, a separate owner of the cargo whose identity can also be hidden by layers of shell companies. Then there is the country where the vessel is registered, another where it is flagged, the country where it is located and those through whose waters it passes. The Billiante Virtuoso was registered in the Marshall Islands, flew a Liberian flag, had a Greek owner, a British insurer and was attacked off the coast of Yemen and subject to international law. When something goes wrong everyone denies responsibility, points their finger at the others and hides behind the laws or lack thereof that best suit their purpose. This story is bigger than the fate of a single ship or single crime. The world is at the mercy of ocean shippers in a fragile supply chain. For a different but complimentary look at the dangers of life at sea check out The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier.
The shipping insurance industry gets a lot of scrutiny from the authors, in particular Lloyd’s of London which insured the Billiante Virtuoso. Lloyd’s, bound by tradition and custom, is a collection of syndicates of individual insurers. Lloyd’s insures almost anything and it caters to the shipping industry. Multiple syndicates consisting of hundreds of individuals and companies may insure or reinsure a single ship and/or its cargo to spread the risk. Often there are separate insurers of the cargo and ship. The relatively small portion each individual insurer stands to lose makes it easy to settle cases and move on rather than get into a lengthy costly court battle under arcane British laws regarding maritime fraud. The insurers are averse to asserting fraud afraid it will drive down business and anger ship owners although the insurer can never be certain who the real owner is. Nobody knows how many shipping “accidents” are really insurance fraud. Most cases are likely not reported. The insurers don’t track it and often choose not to investigate. At a minimum it’s costing billions of dollars.
This could be made into a great movie far more dramatic than the book with its frequent digressions (although I found them interesting). All the elements are there: A mysterious explosion at sea attributed to Somali pirates, a British ex-pat living in dangerous Yemen investigates, sees evidence of fraud, dies soon after in a car bombing, a second connected British ex-pat dies mysteriously, sailors afraid for their lives if they say anything, insurers deeply suspicious but afraid to take on a shipping company, and a pair of ex-cop private investigators, one a savvy searcher of the web tracks down leads, the other gritty streetwise experienced handling dangerous situations. They work for years making progress in fits and starts with contacts in Yemen, Philippines, Greece and UK, a world-wide search for witnesses and informants. They are hamstrung by the insurers they work for. The British police whose investigation is secret tell them to stand down. Potential witnesses and informants and their families are threatened with their lives. On top of all that there is legal drama as a case goes forward eight years later in 2019 to declare a fraud and allow insurers not to pay. Just keeping witnesses and informants on board through the trial is suspenseful in the face of threats from ruthless people who have already killed the first investigators. It could be an intense and compelling narrative.
The book is true crime: Setting a ship on fire at sea, murder in Yemen, and a seemingly unsolvable case. Investigative frictions ensue: private investigators vs criminals, private investigators vs insurers, private investigators vs police, private investigators vs owners and others in the shipping industry and their connections. It’s a maze that takes a decade to untangle. Finding out who actually owns a ship is nearly impossible. There are numerous layers of shell companies and mystery directors. But there is not just the owner to find, the ship is run by a separate operations management company, the crew vetted and supplied by a different company, a separate owner of the cargo whose identity can also be hidden by layers of shell companies. Then there is the country where the vessel is registered, another where it is flagged, the country where it is located and those through whose waters it passes. The Billiante Virtuoso was registered in the Marshall Islands, flew a Liberian flag, had a Greek owner, a British insurer and was attacked off the coast of Yemen and subject to international law. When something goes wrong everyone denies responsibility, points their finger at the others and hides behind the laws or lack thereof that best suit their purpose. This story is bigger than the fate of a single ship or single crime. The world is at the mercy of ocean shippers in a fragile supply chain. For a different but complimentary look at the dangers of life at sea check out The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier.
The shipping insurance industry gets a lot of scrutiny from the authors, in particular Lloyd’s of London which insured the Billiante Virtuoso. Lloyd’s, bound by tradition and custom, is a collection of syndicates of individual insurers. Lloyd’s insures almost anything and it caters to the shipping industry. Multiple syndicates consisting of hundreds of individuals and companies may insure or reinsure a single ship and/or its cargo to spread the risk. Often there are separate insurers of the cargo and ship. The relatively small portion each individual insurer stands to lose makes it easy to settle cases and move on rather than get into a lengthy costly court battle under arcane British laws regarding maritime fraud. The insurers are averse to asserting fraud afraid it will drive down business and anger ship owners although the insurer can never be certain who the real owner is. Nobody knows how many shipping “accidents” are really insurance fraud. Most cases are likely not reported. The insurers don’t track it and often choose not to investigate. At a minimum it’s costing billions of dollars.
This could be made into a great movie far more dramatic than the book with its frequent digressions (although I found them interesting). All the elements are there: A mysterious explosion at sea attributed to Somali pirates, a British ex-pat living in dangerous Yemen investigates, sees evidence of fraud, dies soon after in a car bombing, a second connected British ex-pat dies mysteriously, sailors afraid for their lives if they say anything, insurers deeply suspicious but afraid to take on a shipping company, and a pair of ex-cop private investigators, one a savvy searcher of the web tracks down leads, the other gritty streetwise experienced handling dangerous situations. They work for years making progress in fits and starts with contacts in Yemen, Philippines, Greece and UK, a world-wide search for witnesses and informants. They are hamstrung by the insurers they work for. The British police whose investigation is secret tell them to stand down. Potential witnesses and informants and their families are threatened with their lives. On top of all that there is legal drama as a case goes forward eight years later in 2019 to declare a fraud and allow insurers not to pay. Just keeping witnesses and informants on board through the trial is suspenseful in the face of threats from ruthless people who have already killed the first investigators. It could be an intense and compelling narrative.
November 10, 2023
In July 2011, the oil tanker Brillante Virtuoso was drifting through the treacherous Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen when a crew of Somali pirates attacked and set her ablaze in a devastating explosion. But when David Mockett, a maritime surveyor working for Lloyd's of London, inspected the damaged vessel, he was left with more questions than answers. Soon after his inspection, David Mockett was killed in a car bombing.
When I started listening to this audiobook, I knew next to nothing about the shipping industry, about Lloyd's of London, or about the maritime insurance business. I haven't even seen the movie Captain Phillips which is referenced in the book but I think I might search it out sometime when my husband's not around (he's not a fan of Tom Hanks). I learned a lot about all these subjects and I'm in awe of the people who unravelled the real story. What a convoluted investigation. Kudos to the two authors who laid the whole story out so that it was easy for a layperson to understand. As I mentioned in an earlier update, Derek Perkins, the narrator, has the nicest posh British accent and did a fantastic job. I felt like I was watching a BBC documentary.
Thanks to Libby via London Public Library for the loan of this audiobook.
When I started listening to this audiobook, I knew next to nothing about the shipping industry, about Lloyd's of London, or about the maritime insurance business. I haven't even seen the movie Captain Phillips which is referenced in the book but I think I might search it out sometime when my husband's not around (he's not a fan of Tom Hanks). I learned a lot about all these subjects and I'm in awe of the people who unravelled the real story. What a convoluted investigation. Kudos to the two authors who laid the whole story out so that it was easy for a layperson to understand. As I mentioned in an earlier update, Derek Perkins, the narrator, has the nicest posh British accent and did a fantastic job. I felt like I was watching a BBC documentary.
Thanks to Libby via London Public Library for the loan of this audiobook.
January 22, 2022
This was very informative on the history of shipping and how it moves goods around the world. The story darkens when it gets into pirates overtaking the Brillante Virtuoso oil tanker and making big problems before taking off. The plot just keeps thickening from there, as investigations and more investigations are kicked off. There are deadly consequences for one man, hired by Lloyd’s of London regarding the incident. There are deeper things afoot in this maritime true crime case with larger implications. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2022
This is a wild book. First of all I didn't know anything about the shipping industry. It's crazy to think about how much stuff moves around the world in a day. And hearing about the conditions workers on these ships are subjected to was really eye opening. And then we get to the actual controversy! This book is well written. I especially like the interviews with people close to the case. I would recommend this book for fans of exposes like Bad Blood or Fyre Fraud.
September 18, 2022
Never written a review and I’m a bit pissed but that’s how fucking unreal this book is. Straight fire 🔥🔥🔥 10/10 Kobe from the line. It has fraud it has pirates, somebody dies and I’m ducking gripped. Absolute wapper to finish in 3 days just ashamed it took me that long. Read it, tell your mothers tell your brothers tell your neighbours counsins sisters cat. ITS A BANGER
Want to read
June 15, 2022Giveaway Win!
May 15, 2022
** Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to wait for this book to be published so I could get the audiobook. I am so glad I did because 1. the narrator was absolutely amazing, and 2. the ARC was close to be unreadable and would have taken me three times as long [if not more] to try and read it. I was frustrated over that, but grateful I was able to get an audiobook. **
This was a really good book. I knew very little about shipping and all that it entails and while I had heard of the pirates that haunt the shipping world, I had never really read anything about them and the trouble and consequences they bring. This was quite the education and I am very glad I read this.
There were times of real frustration as the cover-ups kept going, the rich just kept walking away [and continue to do so, which is infuriating] and people died. All to get insurance money. There were parts that were so sad that I could hardly bear it for the families involved and I know they will somewhat heal, but they will never lose all the trauma that they went through and continue to go through.
If you love good nonfiction and are fond of true crime that will both knock your socks off and frustrate the heck out of you and have been even a teeny bit intrigued by shipping and piracy and theft, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it [as well as the audiobook - the narrator for this was superb].
Thank you to NetGalley, Matthew Campbell, Kit Chellel, and PENGUIN GROUP Portfolio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really good book. I knew very little about shipping and all that it entails and while I had heard of the pirates that haunt the shipping world, I had never really read anything about them and the trouble and consequences they bring. This was quite the education and I am very glad I read this.
There were times of real frustration as the cover-ups kept going, the rich just kept walking away [and continue to do so, which is infuriating] and people died. All to get insurance money. There were parts that were so sad that I could hardly bear it for the families involved and I know they will somewhat heal, but they will never lose all the trauma that they went through and continue to go through.
If you love good nonfiction and are fond of true crime that will both knock your socks off and frustrate the heck out of you and have been even a teeny bit intrigued by shipping and piracy and theft, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it [as well as the audiobook - the narrator for this was superb].
Thank you to NetGalley, Matthew Campbell, Kit Chellel, and PENGUIN GROUP Portfolio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2023
Long-form journalistic writing at its absolute best! This pair is one of my top favorite journalists and so I was not surprised by how incredibly well-written this book is. This and Sakura obsession are my favorite nonfiction books this year, so far.
The whodunit is also a howwdunnit that is the stuff of fiction --but what really makes this book shine is the deep dive into cargo shipping as well as how the Greeks continue to rule in shipping in the world. They pay special attention to the historical Greek role in cargo shipping, the history of Lloyds of London (that was news to me), as well as modern piracy in general.
Characterization and plot were done so well it really read like a thriller novel.
The only topic I would have loved more of is about the horror cargo shipping, offshore manufacturing, and mass consumerism has been on the environment. It is not only the ships themselves which are so unbelievably polluting and carbon producing but it’s created a new consumer model built on exploitation and high carbon footprints. Kim Stanley Robinson was so right to put a focus on this in his recent novel Ministry of the Future.
Anyway, this book was like a master class in writing the BEST nonfiction. And I think it is true that journalists continue to write the best books.
Highly recommend this one.
The whodunit is also a howwdunnit that is the stuff of fiction --but what really makes this book shine is the deep dive into cargo shipping as well as how the Greeks continue to rule in shipping in the world. They pay special attention to the historical Greek role in cargo shipping, the history of Lloyds of London (that was news to me), as well as modern piracy in general.
Characterization and plot were done so well it really read like a thriller novel.
The only topic I would have loved more of is about the horror cargo shipping, offshore manufacturing, and mass consumerism has been on the environment. It is not only the ships themselves which are so unbelievably polluting and carbon producing but it’s created a new consumer model built on exploitation and high carbon footprints. Kim Stanley Robinson was so right to put a focus on this in his recent novel Ministry of the Future.
Anyway, this book was like a master class in writing the BEST nonfiction. And I think it is true that journalists continue to write the best books.
Highly recommend this one.
July 26, 2022
It got a little dry in some places, but considering it's a book largely concerned with maritime insurance policies, it's honestly really impressive that it was only dry in some places. The ending was extremely unsatisfying, but you probably can't blame the author for the way real life events played out.
June 16, 2023
What a read!!! The best nonfiction, weaving together an massive explosion in Yemeni waters and the operations of the global shipping industry. Some facts about the latter that stood out to an economist:
1. How on earth was the insurance plan designed that insurers seem so eager to pay out claims that seem obviously fraudulent?
2. So so many players making a shipment happen! The owner of the ship, the management company, the crew, the insurers, the owner of the cargo, the tax authorities, the salvors…
3. What do nations even mean when you can so easily register a ship under the Libyan flag, or even under an inland country’s, to avoid having to obey more stringent laws
4. The Pakistani yard where old ships were sent to be taken apart and recycled. One of the worst work conditions globally. Humans taking apart a tanker… can you imagine? Developing countries doing the dirty work and having to pollute the environment at the same time
5. The global shipping crew is overwhelmingly Filipino, Indian and Indonesian, because you can pay them much less than what you need to pay others
1. How on earth was the insurance plan designed that insurers seem so eager to pay out claims that seem obviously fraudulent?
2. So so many players making a shipment happen! The owner of the ship, the management company, the crew, the insurers, the owner of the cargo, the tax authorities, the salvors…
3. What do nations even mean when you can so easily register a ship under the Libyan flag, or even under an inland country’s, to avoid having to obey more stringent laws
4. The Pakistani yard where old ships were sent to be taken apart and recycled. One of the worst work conditions globally. Humans taking apart a tanker… can you imagine? Developing countries doing the dirty work and having to pollute the environment at the same time
5. The global shipping crew is overwhelmingly Filipino, Indian and Indonesian, because you can pay them much less than what you need to pay others
October 23, 2023
Fascinating. RIP David Mockett.
August 20, 2023
Fabulous book for many reasons: well-researched, well written, and an epically fascinating true story about a corner of the economic world that I and many others know little about. Pirates, fraud, murder, and more, it’s almost unbelievable if not for the preponderance of the evidence presented so well by this book.
September 20, 2022
I have an accute interest in what I call Incident Forensics, books that analytically dissect an historical event from multiple disciples to uncover the pattern of independant factors that combine and result in an unexpected and undesired consequence. I appreciate the insight into different professional fields, in this case Maritime Insurance, the economics of flags of convenience and modern commercial shipping, and the political implications that resulted from the vestiges of Imperialism. The major thrust of this book is a murder mystery that officially remains unsolved, left unexplored is how the institutions of the global marketplace could have prevented it (for example, if Lloyd's of London required more information before issuing insurance). My review is a much more ponderous read than the book, which moves along like an article from The New Yorker or Atlantic, it is clearly the work of professionals writing for a mass audience. My father was a deck officer in the Merchant Marines and only shipped on the USA flagged container ships, an industry segment that is now economically uncompetitive due to stringent safety requirements. Shipping has always been inherently hazardous, and this book illustrates how greed can result in death in the shipping industry. Left unexplored is how we as consumers are complicit; we all enjoy the benefits from cheap consumer goods made overseas and transported to our markets by inexpensive labor. Perhaps we should consider how we are exploiting the citizens of 3rd world and developing countries.
October 25, 2022
An absolute stunner of a book, where long-form journalism shines at its finest. In a world full of fake news and low-quality news used to capture eyeballs, true journalism where facts are meticulously checked become the rare but lasting gems. This is not only a memorable book given the absurdity of events unfolded, the writing, which has the history of insurance and shipping industry being well incorporated, is itself a great standout.
I have no doubt the writers hoped their expose would have sprung the regulatory bodies into action, as good journalism usually do. I hope the Mockett’s family will one day get the justice that is owed to them. But cynicism and the practical reality suggest the frauds get to live on, unharmed.
Would 100% recommend the book. It opens up your eyes to the shipping industry like no other. It reads like a thriller but is ever more terrifying given the scale and magnitude of the damages, having affected so many in such a profound way. And for those curious of the insurance bullpen at Lloyd’s, this is also an essential read.
I have no doubt the writers hoped their expose would have sprung the regulatory bodies into action, as good journalism usually do. I hope the Mockett’s family will one day get the justice that is owed to them. But cynicism and the practical reality suggest the frauds get to live on, unharmed.
Would 100% recommend the book. It opens up your eyes to the shipping industry like no other. It reads like a thriller but is ever more terrifying given the scale and magnitude of the damages, having affected so many in such a profound way. And for those curious of the insurance bullpen at Lloyd’s, this is also an essential read.
August 23, 2022
Oh my but this is a dark book. When we see a ship little do we know the murky depths that may well lurk both above and below the water line. This book is first a testament to the fact that good investigative journalists still exist in our culture of fluff journalism.
Matthew Campbell is to be congratulated for his relentless search and then recording of the events of one ship and its fate. Who knew the intricate dance of insurance companies, the multitudinous links and threads that all connect to a seagoing vessel?
The human cost of being connected to a ship are too numerous to list. Let’s say for every sailor aboard a ship entire villages of families, shipping magnates, lawyers, accountants and salvage crews are all linked in an intricate dance. Those that select and play the music are both nefarious and live in a world of shadows.
I learned so much by reading this book. I invite you to take a similar voyage.
Matthew Campbell is to be congratulated for his relentless search and then recording of the events of one ship and its fate. Who knew the intricate dance of insurance companies, the multitudinous links and threads that all connect to a seagoing vessel?
The human cost of being connected to a ship are too numerous to list. Let’s say for every sailor aboard a ship entire villages of families, shipping magnates, lawyers, accountants and salvage crews are all linked in an intricate dance. Those that select and play the music are both nefarious and live in a world of shadows.
I learned so much by reading this book. I invite you to take a similar voyage.
May 29, 2022
Was about to give complete 4 ⭐️, but did not due to some of the facts narrated with a hint of inherent bias and some unnecessary and over dramatization of events. But hands down a very informative book on insurance, fraud, and helps make shipping (which is 90% of world trade) interesting to people and educates them on the same.
I have been a shipping lawyer for 5 years now and would’ve loved if practice of marine insurance was taught and demonstrated through such interesting cases.
Also, the reference to the ship recycling industry in India and Pakistan as worlds most dangerous is racist and wrong. Please do more research on the industry and not be lazy and read NGO Ship- Breaking platform blogs which are funded by the European lobby. In 2022, it reeks of white supremacy and authors such as yourself should not be out of depth when it comes to investigative journalism.
I have been a shipping lawyer for 5 years now and would’ve loved if practice of marine insurance was taught and demonstrated through such interesting cases.
Also, the reference to the ship recycling industry in India and Pakistan as worlds most dangerous is racist and wrong. Please do more research on the industry and not be lazy and read NGO Ship- Breaking platform blogs which are funded by the European lobby. In 2022, it reeks of white supremacy and authors such as yourself should not be out of depth when it comes to investigative journalism.
June 26, 2023
I've known about pirates along the Yemen and Somali coast and their dangers to boats large and small. This little story becomes a MAJOR story of intrigue and things are not what they seem.
Pirates get access to a large cargo ship, but leave relatively quickly without any hostage situations...interesting...then a fire begins. The ship was abandoned and crews went to put the fire out and tug her back to port.
Then investigations begin--that are still ongoing! They weren't actually pirates, but this was all a scheme with the intent to....but wait, one of them men investigating is murdered...what is going on.
I felt that the book was a bit drawn out, not all that interesting in its storytelling and actually perhaps easier to just read articles on the internet about? Fascinating story though! Curious to see where things end.
Pirates get access to a large cargo ship, but leave relatively quickly without any hostage situations...interesting...then a fire begins. The ship was abandoned and crews went to put the fire out and tug her back to port.
Then investigations begin--that are still ongoing! They weren't actually pirates, but this was all a scheme with the intent to....but wait, one of them men investigating is murdered...what is going on.
I felt that the book was a bit drawn out, not all that interesting in its storytelling and actually perhaps easier to just read articles on the internet about? Fascinating story though! Curious to see where things end.
December 25, 2023
Really intriguing book on the fraud and crime of the brilliante virtuoso ship. The authors keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s devastating to believe this happened so recently and is true.
April 3, 2023
This is by far one of the best books i have ever read. I had zero no knowledge about maritime trade or what goes on at sea in those huge cargo vessels. The book is a narrative about the events that took place in 2011, and the years to follow, when a 20ton oil tanker was lost at sea due to an apparent attack from pirates. The events leading to that fateful day has led to the discovery of one of the most daring maritime insurance frauds ever attempted. The book has detailed the inner workings of the shipping and insurance industry. Highly recommend it to other readers(not if you are a greek).
February 13, 2023
Such an exciting story! Very rare that I can’t put down a piece of non-fiction, though I guess it’s very much true crime. I found it dragged a bit at the end, but generally so good. Also the lawyers were painted quite floridly as villains which I found quite funny. Learnt a lot about the shipping industry generally - so interesting
Ps- this would have previously been a 4, but I’ve decided to make fuller use of the 5 star system, allowing myself lots of 5’s.
Ps- this would have previously been a 4, but I’ve decided to make fuller use of the 5 star system, allowing myself lots of 5’s.
July 18, 2023
Interesting writing style that made this non-fiction read more like a novel which I enjoyed. Last few chapters were v interesting, especially the Afterward. However, the first 60 odd percent was often dull and drawn out, making it difficult to get into and leaving me wanting. Therefore I can’t legally give more than 3 stars without Lloyds holding back on my life insurance.
Read
January 27, 2023Doesn’t pass the Bechdel test but, okay, yes, the insurance industry is very exciting!
Read
October 2, 2023DNF nick just told me how it ends haha
July 25, 2023
A fascinating book about the sinking of an oil tanker for nefarious reasons, buoyed by just the best asides. It does suffer a bit from the "make a book out of an article" problem (repeated descriptions, redundant information) but that the best parts were really the asides, where they took deep dives into things like container shipping, the Lloyds of London insurance market, the history of scuttling, and so many other bits of information. And it was really sad about the murder too and the effect it had on everyone.
Of course, this being the 21st century, virtually everyone guilty gets away with it. I don't think this requires a spoiler alert. It is amazing they got as much of the story as they did, so we see what happened, but no one pays any price, mostly because they have enough money to buy their way out of trouble. A parable of the times, unfortunately.
And a very well narrated as an audiobook too.
Of course, this being the 21st century, virtually everyone guilty gets away with it. I don't think this requires a spoiler alert. It is amazing they got as much of the story as they did, so we see what happened, but no one pays any price, mostly because they have enough money to buy their way out of trouble. A parable of the times, unfortunately.
And a very well narrated as an audiobook too.
January 28, 2023
In the last couple of years we all learned a bit more about ocean-going shipping with all of the pandemic issues and backlogs in the ports. We learned how shipping costs skyrocketed, and as consumers, we paid for this with rising inflation at the retail outlet. Well, this book is about another reason why goods are expensive ...
When a ship sinks or is otherwise written off, the owners (and the cargo owners) file insurance claims( here, tens of millions of $$). You'd think the insurers wouldn't want to pay out on suspicious claims - but no, they don't mind because the shipowners are the ones that pay the insurance premiums that make the insurers profitable. If insurance rates have to rise because of fraudulent claims, well, we consumers pay for it in the price of our goods.
The book is a true story of one particular incident that took place in 2011 off the coast of Yemen and the long investigation into the out-of-the-ordinary hijacking of a tanker and subsequent fire. It is quite the exciting account with plenty of bad guys, determined good guys, victims, secret witnesses, and a lot of feckless police and lawyers who are at best vaguely interested in getting to the bottom of the obviously suspicious claim. Oh, there are murders too (without which, the case might never have moved forward).
I knew nothing about the story beforehand and that added immensely to my enjoyment.
Based on years of investigative reporting by two Bloomberg journalists, it is a well-written tale with fascinating and often gripping chapters. Normally books that cover several years of time can drag but not this one.
Highly recommended. The final chapters kept me up past my bedtime (hence 5 stars). If you enjoyed Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, you'll enjoy this. Photos of the ship and key players. If you don't know where Aden is, check a map beforehand.
When a ship sinks or is otherwise written off, the owners (and the cargo owners) file insurance claims( here, tens of millions of $$). You'd think the insurers wouldn't want to pay out on suspicious claims - but no, they don't mind because the shipowners are the ones that pay the insurance premiums that make the insurers profitable. If insurance rates have to rise because of fraudulent claims, well, we consumers pay for it in the price of our goods.
The book is a true story of one particular incident that took place in 2011 off the coast of Yemen and the long investigation into the out-of-the-ordinary hijacking of a tanker and subsequent fire. It is quite the exciting account with plenty of bad guys, determined good guys, victims, secret witnesses, and a lot of feckless police and lawyers who are at best vaguely interested in getting to the bottom of the obviously suspicious claim. Oh, there are murders too (without which, the case might never have moved forward).
I knew nothing about the story beforehand and that added immensely to my enjoyment.
Based on years of investigative reporting by two Bloomberg journalists, it is a well-written tale with fascinating and often gripping chapters. Normally books that cover several years of time can drag but not this one.
Highly recommended. The final chapters kept me up past my bedtime (hence 5 stars). If you enjoyed Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup, you'll enjoy this. Photos of the ship and key players. If you don't know where Aden is, check a map beforehand.
February 9, 2022
This is a very informative story. Starts with looking at the history of Lloyds shipping, the growing popularity of ships travelling through the Suez Canal as well as the increased risk of pirates hijacking tankers/freighters in order to ransom the vessel and its crew. We are also given a narrative summary of David Moffett’s career from sailing the seas to becoming a trusted insurance surveyor. The narrative then condenses to the situation that befell the Brilliante Virtuoso which was carrying a shipment of oil, pirates boarded the ship and for whatever reason set the ship on fire and disappeared, the crew is rescued by ships nearby responding to their SOS and the burning ship is taken on by marine salvagers until a decision is made on the remains and the cargo by the owners. David Moffett is hired to investigate and he finds the eyewitness reports vs the physical evidence don’t add up - raising more questions than answers. In the midst of this Moffett is murdered…
The rest of the story recounts the investigations by various parties into what happened aboard the Virtuoso as well as the death of David Moffett and trying to identify and bring the persons responsible to trial.
Overall the story reads more like an in depth history book than say a true crime/thriller story. It goes into great detail to explain various aspects like for example Lloyds involvement in the shipping industry, as well as comparisons to similar maritime events that involved one or more individuals that was being investigated in connection to the Virtuoso. I think a lot of the information would wash over readers that have absolutely no interest or understanding of material (maritime, insurance, evidence gathering, etc) that is discussed within.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.
The rest of the story recounts the investigations by various parties into what happened aboard the Virtuoso as well as the death of David Moffett and trying to identify and bring the persons responsible to trial.
Overall the story reads more like an in depth history book than say a true crime/thriller story. It goes into great detail to explain various aspects like for example Lloyds involvement in the shipping industry, as well as comparisons to similar maritime events that involved one or more individuals that was being investigated in connection to the Virtuoso. I think a lot of the information would wash over readers that have absolutely no interest or understanding of material (maritime, insurance, evidence gathering, etc) that is discussed within.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a free arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 3, 2023
I think this story covers a lot of ground. The crux of it a fraudulent insurance claim on Lloyds by a shipping magnate. The background on Lloyds and how they manage the insurance business was interesting and the ship attacked by “pirates” provided suspense and intrigue.
But the nuances and side areas of the story kept me engaged. The forensic work to understand what happened and the salvage efforts were two I found interesting. While Campbell and Chellel gave us snippet views into the lives of seamen but enough to know it’s hard and grueling work. These seafarers sign contracts that keep the at sea for many months, working long hours, with little (or no) time off. One only need think about the cruise industry and its multitude of stewards and other unseen workers in the kitchens, engines, and elsewhere to recognize how many are working long shifts in monthslong contracts.
The writing is a progressive unveiling of the events and people. Probably couldn’t be written another way but you get a lot of new people introduced as the story moves along. Campbell and Chellel bring them in by providing background and context so we can place the into the story. That was needed.
This real-life event highlights that many of our fictional stories that wrap up in a nicely tied and colorful bows are just that – fiction. Real life is messy…with heart aches and tragedies.
A good book on the nuances of insurance underwriting (and fraud) in the shipping industry. The reader interested in learning more will find this a worthwhile read. A weak 4 Goodread stars, ideally 3 and a half.
But the nuances and side areas of the story kept me engaged. The forensic work to understand what happened and the salvage efforts were two I found interesting. While Campbell and Chellel gave us snippet views into the lives of seamen but enough to know it’s hard and grueling work. These seafarers sign contracts that keep the at sea for many months, working long hours, with little (or no) time off. One only need think about the cruise industry and its multitude of stewards and other unseen workers in the kitchens, engines, and elsewhere to recognize how many are working long shifts in monthslong contracts.
The writing is a progressive unveiling of the events and people. Probably couldn’t be written another way but you get a lot of new people introduced as the story moves along. Campbell and Chellel bring them in by providing background and context so we can place the into the story. That was needed.
This real-life event highlights that many of our fictional stories that wrap up in a nicely tied and colorful bows are just that – fiction. Real life is messy…with heart aches and tragedies.
A good book on the nuances of insurance underwriting (and fraud) in the shipping industry. The reader interested in learning more will find this a worthwhile read. A weak 4 Goodread stars, ideally 3 and a half.
January 6, 2023
It’s only fair to acknowledge I’m surely biased because Matthew is a friend and teammate. Though based on that, I can vouch that he knows his way around boats and crazy characters!
The most important thing this book does is memorialize Captain David Mockett, particularly his courage and integrity as an honest investigator in both an industry and region dominated by might. But Matthew and Kit tell this story of fraud in a compelling manner that recalls the thrilling, page-turning intensity of Tom Clancy, only with real lives at stake. Along the way, they do a great job of explaining how the shipping and maritime insurance industries operate.
And this surely counts as throwing rocks at a tanker, but if I ever make it to Greece, I’ll do my best to avoid a SeaJets ferry.
The most important thing this book does is memorialize Captain David Mockett, particularly his courage and integrity as an honest investigator in both an industry and region dominated by might. But Matthew and Kit tell this story of fraud in a compelling manner that recalls the thrilling, page-turning intensity of Tom Clancy, only with real lives at stake. Along the way, they do a great job of explaining how the shipping and maritime insurance industries operate.
And this surely counts as throwing rocks at a tanker, but if I ever make it to Greece, I’ll do my best to avoid a SeaJets ferry.
November 26, 2022
Excellent! Really enjoyed this one.Excellent! As someone who works in the insurance industry and deals with Lloyd's, I found this fascinating and am so surprised I had not heard about this. An excellent account of the circumstances that lead up to the murder of David and an amazing summary of the dreadful inaction by Lloyd's, Police, Investigators. Money makes the world goes round, sadly, even at the cost of good people's precious lives. Will be 100% recommending this to my insurance colleagues!
December 4, 2022
Unless something’s written down on a bit of paper, it didn’t happen.
I was not familiar with the story of Brillante Virtuoso before reading Dead in the Water. I found the events exciting and dramatic. I especially enjoyed the look into the inner workings of Lloyd’s insurance market, which was all new to me.
If you’re too unfamiliar with the story, I recommend picking up this book without researching anything. I liked following the tale without having any idea of how it will all come to an end.
I was not familiar with the story of Brillante Virtuoso before reading Dead in the Water. I found the events exciting and dramatic. I especially enjoyed the look into the inner workings of Lloyd’s insurance market, which was all new to me.
If you’re too unfamiliar with the story, I recommend picking up this book without researching anything. I liked following the tale without having any idea of how it will all come to an end.
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