High Seas Pirates

Although it is plausible to romanticize all pirates as incarnates of swishbuckling pirateer Captain Jack Sparrow, in reality, the escalating encounters of pirates kidnapping, capturing, and confronting international vessels on the high seas is quite troublesome.

Usually, the pirates, (most likely Somalians) tend to focus on American ships. American ships with American crew or materials and supplies destined for the American heartland automatically guarantees immense media attention. The last encounter where the pirates had captured Alabama Mersk and traded the crew for their American captain is a prime example of the massive media attention generated upon the otherwise unknown lives of the crew and their American captain. After a harrowing rescue operation which left several of the pirates dead, the American captain was eventually retrieved unharmed.

However, on that same day, another batch of pirates attempted to attack another vessel in nearby waters.

What is motivating these pirates to venture out and dare to attack and kidnap international vessels? Their motives and factors need to be understood and utilized in deterring future attacks. Furthermore, what form of policing and to what extent is security available for ships on the high seas? These frequent occurrences of pirate attacks can very well lead to many international vessels taking different routes to their destinations, which would lead to more time and fuel wastages. Finally, what if the pirates, motivated by their recent somewhat successful endeavours, focus on cruiseliners as their next targets? On that event, ordinary civilians' lives will be in jeopardy.