[ETL]

Actual countries (not Somali pirates, clearly) respect the sovereignty of vessels at sea, visual contact with another vessel is rare at sea, they don't carry the really fun ammunition, and most people in their right mind really don't want to piss off the U.S. Navy.

Did someone forget about the USS Cole? 17 American sailors dead?

[BlueNgold]

I lost a friend on the Cole, so I am not among those who have forgotten.

Hence the phrasing - most people in their right mind...

The dangers are much different in the open ocean than they are near land and/or in port. The security requirements, escorts etc. are different when approaching littoral waters.