Review: ‘Dead in the Water’ by Matthew Campbell and Kit Chelley

The system works to keep the industry prosperous and protected, but it also presents opportunities for unscrupulous, in this case a colorful Greek magnate named Marios Iliopoulos, the owner of Brillante, who staged the hijacking and destruction of his own vessel. did. The author paints a vivid portrait of the man who races cars under the name “Super Mario” and who terrorized a British courtroom in London after being briefly detained and interrogated “Ring” Possessing the swagger of a professional wrestler, his immaculate features twisted into a squeal, his arms swaying by his arms, shirtless shirt on a substantial stomach.”

Mockett’s death gives the book a powerful emotional centre, and sets up its central conflict, less between the devious shipowner and the officers, than between elite London insurance lawyers, whose primary goal is to cover losses for their clients. Low, and two consulting investigators, Richard Weil and Michael Conner, both former cops, who seek justice.

True stories usually have more messy endings than we’d like. Given the raging civil war in Yemen and the difficulty of working through local authorities in Aden, spies cannot find Mockett’s killer, or even the one who ordered the hit, although the facts clearly point in the direction. We do. And when detectives gather enough witnesses and evidence to prove that Iliopoulos surprisingly plotted the “kidnapping,” he escapes not only with criminal but also financial consequences.

“In the confusing netherworld of insurance law, the owner of a wrecked ship was not the only one who could pursue compensation from Lloyd. Instead, an owner’s claim could be ‘assigned’ to another entity that could be charged with the destruction of the vessel. The damage was done.” The authors conclude that the owner of the ship “turned out to be, at least, tens of millions of dollars better.”

Sorting it all out couldn’t be easier. Campbell and Chellal report and explain it excellently, giving us an account that is both informative and utterly engaging. Longs for a sequel where justice is done.

Mark Bowden is a writer and journalist. “The Steel” is his most recent book.

Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder and a Global Maritime Conspiracy, by Matthew Campbell and Kit Chellell , 288 pp. , portfolio , $27

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