More and more Piracy is being reported in the news. No not the Microsoft software type of piracy, but real actual piracy of ships off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. Maybe I am terribly naïve, but this really just blew my mind when I first read about it. There are actually ships being hijacked by pirates who are holding them for ransom or just stealing the cargo!! There are currently 10 hijacked vessels anchored off the coast of Somalia being held for ransom. One of the vessels is a Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina, which is loaded with weapons and tanks. Gee isn’t that comforting to hear in this day and age or terrorism. This apparently has been going on for years, but has recently become a booming business for the undesirables of the region. They are demanding ransom in the millions for the safe return of the vessels and the crew. Many of the ransom’s have been paid, but not really documented for fear of encouragement. This is pretty evident because of the increasing number of hijackings. In the news today a Saudia owned supertanker called the Sirius Star carrying $100 million in crude oil. The scary part of this is the size of this tanker. It is reported to be the size of 3 aircraft carriers, with a crew of 20 people.
The pirates have not limited that attacks and hijack attempts to cargo ships. There have been several reports of Cruise ships being attacked. So often, that they are taking longer routes on trips just to avoid the area frequented by hijackers. It is said that the hijackers have now expanded their operating area to over 1.1 million square miles!!
And when the pirates do attack, they are not welding swords and the old single-shot pistols of the swashbuckling days. They are using the highest quality, military grade weapons on the market today. From RPG’s, (rocket propelled grenades) to 50 cal mounted guns, to shoulder mounted rocket launchers. Really makes you wondering who and what country is behind all of the piracy and attacks!!
This is no Johnny Depp movie, that’s for sure!!