Real Pirates on Our Global Seas
The definition of ‘pirate,’ according to the Piracy Reporting Centre based in Kuala Lumpur, is “”An act of boarding or attempting to board any ship with the intent to commit theft or any other crime and with the intent or capability to use force in the furtherance of that act.” This includes both armed, and unarmed acts of theft, and can result in severe penalties. With the rise of globalization, and increased traffic of trade on the sea in the 21st century, reports of pirate-related incidents are on the rise. Goods transported from one country to another are always at risk for theft and criminal behavior. Pirates today may not wear the bandana, but they still carry the same agenda as the pirates of yesteryear.
Pirates are essentially thieves, often working in groups and coordinating both large and small-scale attacks. Today’s pirates can make use of the internet and other technological advances that were inconceivable in previous centuries. Despite positive progress of technology, only responsible crew members and seafarers can take advantage of it. Pirates on the open water can track, coordinate, and organize just as fast as their anti-pirate initiatives.
To stay current, the Weekly Piracy Report is published and available by the International Chamber of Commerce. This up-to-date report provides coverage for all suspicious and questionable ships found on the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Alerts are posted regularly, and also describe specific incidents and suspicious crafts. The documented reports include descriptions of the craft, ship speed, and equipment on board. This can be helpful to many crew members, captains, and sea farers who brave the seas on a regular basis. The site even provides time-sensitive information on piracy-prone areas. This summer, the Singapore Straits, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Somalian waters, and Peru appear to be the top pirate destinations for high activity.
Besides on-craft and on-water reporting, the International Chamber of Commerce uses a valuable aerial-surveillance tool to fight against piracy. The Inventus-UAV is described on its site as “a state-of-the-art reconnaissance system packaged in a highly efficient, highly stable flying wing constructed from composite materials.” The Inventus-UAV looks like a military-style helicopter, but is used for a variety of purposes including mine detection, nuclear remote sensing, and even Olympic events. To track pirate activity, the Inventus flys over and captures important photographs, pictures, and maps.
Specific piracy maps for a given year and month can also be found through the ICC; these helpful guides show targeted areas on continents, supplying information on occurrences, variances, and major instances. Overall, the Somalian coast is the most dangerous of all, with frequent vessel and crew attacks. With Somalia’s lax governmental control, the area is considered highly vulnerable and especially risky.
Although we may not have the chance to see a Pirates of the Caribbean-style scenario in our lifetime, we can acknowledge and affirm that pirate activity still continues today. Without the glamour and special effects, true pirate criminal activity is akin to a small-scale military attack and maneuver. Pirates that choose to break the law on the open water are doing so with the help of technology, general war-style acquisitions, and are found in many locations. The International Chamber of Commerce attempts to reduce pirate acts and incidences by using a variety of tools and resources. In the meantime, crew members and captains can review these current reports online to make better navigational decisions.
