How would you like to be in charge of a container ship filled with cargo with a typhoon heading your way? That's what Captain Stephen Thompson did just a few weeks ago! Here's his story.

Captain Thompson started sailing in 1977 as a third mate out of the port of New Orleans on the United States' southern coast. He had graduated from the Texas Maritime Academy the year before, and spent the next decade sailing on many types of vessels - including drill ships, tankers, and freighters - so that he could gain the experience he needed to move from third mate to second mate to chief mate and finally to captain.

In 1986, Captain Thompson and his wife moved to the West Coast of the United States and he began working for shipping company APL. He began work as chief mate aboard the container ship President Filmore, becoming captain (or master) of the ship President Hoover in 1992.

Today, as master of the container ship APL Philippines, Captain Thompson is responsible for everything that happens to the ship, its cargo, and its crew. Although he delegates specific tasks to the ship's chief engineer, chief mate, and chief steward, the well-being of the ship is ultimately his responsibility. And that's why he watches the weather so carefully.

On August 18, 2001, Captain Thompson had just supervised the docking of the APL Philippines at APL's terminal in Yokohama, Japan. But the next day or two while the ship was unloaded and reloaded did not permit him any rest or relaxation. For Captain Thompson was tracking the progress of Typhoon Pabuk across the Pacific. He wondered how the typhoon would affect his ship and the cargo he carried.

What did Captain Thompson do when faced with a major typhoon? What would you do to help him? Could you match wits with a storm? Download the case study to find out!