He should be considered a hero because he saved his own life. He was not in the position to save others but he did try, telling the Captain about the overflow in the boiler room illustrated that...

You have my heart And we'll never be worlds apart Maybe in magazines But you'll still be my star Baby 'cause in the dark You can't see shiny cars And that's when you need me there With you I'll always share Because When the sun shines, we'll shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be a friend Took an oath, I'ma stick it out till the end Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella You can stand under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh) These fancy things, will never come in between You're part of my entity, here for infinity When the war has took it's part When the world has dealt it's cards If the hand is hard, together we'll mend your heart Because When the sun shines, we'll shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be a friend Took an oath, I'ma stick it out till the end Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella You can stand under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh) You can run into my arms It's okay don't be alarmed Come here to me There's no distance in between our love So go on and let the rain pour I'll be all you need and more Because When the sun shines, we'll shine together Told you I'll be here forever Said I'll always be a friend Took an oath, I'ma stick it out till the end Now that it's raining more than ever Know that we'll still have each other You can stand under my umbrella You can stand under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh) Under my umbrella (Ella ella, eh eh eh, eh eh eh) It's raining Ooh baby it's raining Baby come here to me Come here to me It's raining Ooh baby it's raining You can always come here to me Come here to me It's pouring rain It's pouring rain Come here to me Come here to me

Captain Ahab If you ever saw Captain Ahab in a dark alley, you'd probably turn and run the other way. His scarred body and wooden leg are just a couple of characteristics that show who he is...

Leggatt's life mirrors the captains at this point. The first real thing in common with a person while on this voyage. And finally they both need each other...