[According2RecentPollsAirIsGood]

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Hard to believe there are still pirates in the world. Even when I was a kid I thought they were the stuff of legends.

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I saw a program on the History Channel recently on the history of piracy. Pirates not only still exist, but are actually thriving in multiple areas of the world like the African coasts, Indonesia, and, yes, even in the Caribbean. Apparently, during the Cold War the strong presence of American and Soviet navies around the world significantly reduced piracy everywhere. Since the Cold War ended ("ended"), piracy has been on the rise as both powers have reduced their naval presences.

Nowadays, the sea is full of massive, lightly defended container ships that make excellent targets for pirates. They pull up in small fast boats, sneak aboard, subdue the minimal number of guards, and either go for the safe or hold the crew for ransom. The latter has apparently become the the most profitable venture. They go for the captain and engineer and take all the paperwork so they know who to contact for the ransom. The shipping companies obviously would never admit they pay these guys, but apparently tens of millions of dollars changes hands every year.

It was an interesting program.

[Rennes Templar]

Thanks, very interesting.

[weegee]

They go for the captain and engineer and take all the paperwork so they know who to contact for the ransom. The shipping companies obviously would never admit they pay these guys, but apparently tens of millions of dollars changes hands every year.

Thomas Jefferson refused to pay protection money to the Barbary pirates. Europe was ready with cash in hand. As they are today when their citizens are kidnapped by Islamic terrorists.

Same as it ever was.

[B4Ranch]

An informative website
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/pirates.htm