Pirates are known as legendary figures of the past in modern times. However, a substantial number of modern pirates continue to exist, terrorizing the sea without too much public attention. Acts of piracy continue to take place frequently near the coasts of South America and the African continents.
While modern-day pirates have made changes to their way of operating, their activity and behavior are still the same.
The pirates from the golden age of piracy used sailing ships requiring a high degree of nautical skills, armed with cannons, that required specialized gun crews. The maneuvering skills required to engage in naval warfare and picking daring targets for looting made some pirate captains very famous.
However, modern-day pirates use speedboats and are armed with AK-47s and RPGs instead of muskets, cannons, and swords. They can easily assault a freighter manned by only four or five individuals instead of the 20-50 crew members required by the sailboats. The modern pirates use GPS, radars, and sonar systems which also means that they no longer require traditional nautical experience.
Modern-Day Pirate Activity
The actions of modern pirates bear similarities to those of notorious pirates from the past. They continue to engage in activities such as kidnapping for ransom, theft, and murder. Although they employ distinct technology and abilities, their assaults remain equally alarming.
Typically, current-day pirates concentrate on seizing relatively small cargo vessels, which are easy targets since they have to slow down when navigating narrow waterways. If they intend to rob a large ship, they will attempt to slip aboard before it departs. If the target ship is comparatively modest, it may equalize velocities, allowing them to jump from one vessel to another for the purpose of assault.
Hotspots of Modern Piracy
Currently, the majority of pirate assaults occur within the Singapore Straits and off the shores of Peru. As of 2021, there were 35 reported raids on ships within the Singapore Straits and 18 reported incidents off the coast of Peru.
Malacca Straits: The Strait of Malacca is one of the most prominent areas affected by modern piracy. Located in the Indian Ocean, the strait is the gateway to Suez Canal and falls under one of the most important Sino-Indian trade routes.
South China Sea: The South China Sea piracy problem, which is causing concern for authorities in Malaysia, is largely attributed to the marine pirates from Malaysia or Indonesia who are considered to be some of the most dangerous pirates engaging in illicit activities in the region.
Benin: Africa’s Benin has become a target for marine piracy, resulting in the region being listed as high-risk for maritime shipping. Despite the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) measures to combat piracy in the affected regions, positive outcomes are yet to be observed.
Somalia: Somalia is the first country most people think of when talking about modern piracy. Maritime piracy in Somalia is a global issue as its citizens have become convinced that piracy is their lone choice to combat poverty and other difficulties affecting them.
Arabian Sea: The Gulf of Oman, located in the Arabian Sea, has become a focal point for sea pirate attacks. Despite this, international organizations and authorities have not provided the same level of security coverage as they do in piracy-infested areas such as the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast.
Causes of Modern Piracy
Economic Issues: Many people resort to piracy to earn a living owing to a lack of opportunities to make money. Economic pirates possess an unquenchable thirst for treasure and secure storage of the vessels they seize. Much like their historic counterparts, these pirates have modest aspirations and operate only for personal gain.
Lack of Legal Authority at Sea: Police authorities do not hold jurisdiction in open seas and are limited in their ability to take action. Several countries lack a dedicated water-based military or police force. Moreover, modern pirates employ a variety of age-old tactics and frequently masquerade under the guise of certain state flags, making it challenging to identify them. Sometimes, even the government may not consistently oppose pirate activities.
Organized Crime: Pirates that work for organized criminal organizations often have connections to individuals in influential positions or even those in authority. Their objectives go beyond just seizing small ships and they carry out attacks to fulfill their role in a larger criminal network. Despite being labeled as pirates, they differ significantly from conventional sea robbers.
How Many Pirate Attacks Still Happen?
During the early 1980s, piracy escalated to become a significant issue. Over time, the frequency of pirate attacks has gradually increased month by month and year by year. Between the years 1993 and 2003, the number of attacks had tripled.
The number of pirate attacks reported has been on the decline for over a decade now. A staggering 445 attacks were reported worldwide. However, they dropped considerably by 2021, reducing almost 70% to 132 globally reported pirate attacks.
Conclusion
The pirates from three centuries earlier were romanticized and became famous as they use to attack the enemies of the British. However, they were still looters involved in illegal activities such as stealing, kidnapping, and killing. Modern Pirates are the same but do not get or deserve any respect and are just considered a threat and a hindrance.
Also Read: Beneath The Black Flag: Pirate Ranks and Roles on a Ship