| Y'ar! If ye be looking for the pirates guide to | | | | waters win the Pirates Guide to Yachting award for |
| yachting...you found it, matey! | | | | most dangerous. A very large volume of commercial |
| Before you learn about this life of high-seas crime, you | | | | boat traffic is filtered through a very narrow section of |
| need to get a few of the basics about piracy. This is | | | | sea, making the area ripe for those with "relaxed |
| an old profession and lots of history to catch up on. | | | | morals" and a fast boat. |
| Fortunately, a few recent movies have helped create | | | | The waters off the coast of Somalia are also an |
| a crash course, already. | | | | emerging area of high pirate activity. These pirates are |
| PIRACY 101 | | | | also learning the kidnapping and ransom business, too. |
| *Some statistics have shown a three-fold increase in | | | | A crew was reported to be held captive for 101 days |
| worldwide pirate attacks between 1993 and 2003 | | | | before their release. These groups are also know to |
| *One of the earliest documented instances of | | | | fire rockets at their targets to disable their targets, prior |
| organized piracy dates to the 13th century BC in the | | | | to boarding. |
| Aegean sea | | | | Fortunately, the Pirates Guide to Yachting can also |
| *Modern piracy can be divided into two main types, | | | | share some common pirate tactics with you, as well. |
| crimes against pleasure ships and crimes against large, | | | | Some pirates are only interested in the cash carried on |
| cargo carrying vessels or fishing ships | | | | cargo ships and not the actual cargo. They like to |
| *Hostage snatching is gaining in popularity with at least | | | | board the ship fast and will approach and flee in a |
| 63 kidnappings, in 2006 alone | | | | smaller, faster boat. Another common trick is to use |
| *It is a competitive business, with 445 documented | | | | multiple boats in a co-ordinated attack. One boat stops |
| pirate attacks and 16 deaths in 2003 | | | | in front of the target vessel. While the captain and |
| Here in the Pirates Guide to Yachting, we are going to | | | | crew are busy trying to avoid a crash, two other |
| also tell you where the modern pirates are working the | | | | boats attack from the rear and board! |
| most, too! Hot areas include: | | | | Piracy is not back in fashion, it has actually never left |
| Indonesia has about 30-35% of the world's attacks, | | | | fashion. Virtually anywhere you have people on |
| and the Straits of Malacca is the place to know. | | | | watercraft, there will be pirates and piracy. You've |
| These pirates are bold and are know to attack both | | | | hopefully learned where the other pirates are working |
| cargo vessels and pleasure craft with automatic | | | | and the tricks they are pulling, making your personal |
| weapons, hand grenades and even rockets. These | | | | pirate trips more adventurous. |