Modern-day pirates enlist many of the same plundering techniques as traditional pirates, especially swift surprise attacks and rule-by-fear tactics. Like their historic counterparts, many pirates, especially smaller bands, lay in wait in small inlets or island hideaways and quickly strike when their target approaches. A major difference is that modern pirates have the advantage of much faster speed boats complete with technological conveniences, such as communication devices, navigation equipment, and tracking devices including radar and sonar.

Areas such as the South China Sea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Nigeria, Somalia, and areas of the Philippines and the Caribbean continue to be plagued by maritime piracy. Smaller groups of pirates tend to prey on fishing vessels or cargo ships if given the opportunity. In general, they'll rob victims of anything they have onboard or even steal their vessel. The fact that they work independently, much like traditional pirates, means they can operate and thieve at will. Larger groups of pirates tend to be more organized, and their targets loaded with valuable cargo. These groups are more willing to take risks by hijacking, kidnapping, and ransoming crews, cargo, and vessels. Sophisticated operations such as these may require sponsorship from a government or corrupt officials or warlords. Pirates who are extremely well-organized and funded opt for sheer terrorism, their minds set on destruction, or at the very least, disruption of trade and commerce. No captive is ever safe from pirates, especially those pirates who are desperate and armed to the teeth.

The Information Highway

Because of advances in technology, today's pirates can intercept emails, radio and satellite transmissions, or any number of communication methods to ascertain what a vessel might be carrying and when it will be sailing. This is especially true of more sophisticated groups of pirates, who tend to operate under the guidance of a more powerful entity or in some cases officials or governments. These pirates set their sights on much bigger fish; their prey includes large oil tankers and merchant and cargo vessels. Piracy of this sort takes organization and planning, and often includes bribery of officials or insiders who can provide crucial information.

Armed and Dangerous

Pirates who aren't using knives or machetes generally carry heavier automatic weaponry such as rifles, AK-47s, and even grenade launchers, machine guns, and rocket launchers. They may wear ski masks, bandannas, or some type of head covering or clothing to hide their identity. They might also wear stolen uniforms and pose as officials or the military. They could attack in broad daylight, or raid ships in the dead of night when crews are asleep. When ships aren't as heavily manned, pirates have ample opportunity to strike. Quite often, pirates continue the traditional use of grappling hooks to pull their vessel closer to their target, giving them easier boarding access. The methods and madness of modern pirates vary from general robbery of small-cargoed boats to oil tankers that can be ransomed to their owners.

The River Wild

Piracy that occurs on major rivers is also prevalent. China's Yangtze River had long suffered from pirate attacks, but more recently, pirates have taken to the Amazon River, and as a result it has become one of the most dangerous waterways on the planet. Most people didn't recognize river piracy as a particular problem, but that changed in 2001 when pirates murdered New Zealander Sir Peter Blake. Blake was one of yachting's most accomplished and famous sailors, whose races and accolades are legendary. During his final expedition, the fifty-three-year-old Blake and his crew spent several months on the Amazon immersed in environmental research. His fateful night came at the end of their journey.

Aboard his 119-foot yacht, the Seamaster, Blake and his crew were anchored off Macapa, an area where the Amazon merges with the Atlantic Ocean. After going ashore to celebrate the end of their journey, the crew returned to the Seamaster to await the next day's trip to Venezuela, where they were to meet other members of Blakexpeditions. Little did they know that they were about to be attacked by a gang of Brazilian pirates called the Water Rats. Composed primarily of young twenty-something criminals, the pirates didn't expect any resistance, but Blake and his crew fought back and chaos ensued. In the struggle, Blake was fatally shot and died. The pirates proceeded to steal camera equipment, money, and the crew's watches — including Blake's — before leaving the Seamaster. The pirates were eventually apprehended and convicted, but the damage was done. Despite tragically falling victim to pirates, however, Blake's legacy and environmental research continue through the Sir Peter Blake Trust.