Over the centuries, piracy has had many incarnations, and although during different eras it has been suppressed, it has never been entirely wiped out. A host of disciplines have fallen victim to piracy, which remains by definition any act of robbery or violence done independently without jurisdiction. One might think the oceans of the world are safer places, but in many modern waters, they're not. Maritime piracy continues to be a constant source of danger, whether it's small bands of individuals attacking private yachts or groups terrorizing and robbing commercial vessels and even luxury liners.

Pirates of the new world have much in common with, and are no less cruel than, their predecessors, especially in regard to their attack techniques, pillaging and ransoming, and disregard for human life. The main difference nowadays is that technology is more advanced and the pirates more technically astute. But that doesn't always work in their favor. Advances in technology can help track pirates, assuming governments are willing to dedicate time, money, and resources to capturing them. Unfortunately, piracy seems more prevalent in regions of the world that are unstable, and this fact alone makes it difficult to monitor and wipe out their numbers.

Rising Tide

Statistics from major reporting bureaus such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) and its Piracy Reporting Centre, show that hundreds of acts of piracy are committed each year. In 2004 alone, the IMB listed 325 attacks by pirates, the majority of which took place in Indonesia and off the coast of Nigeria. Over thirty individuals died as a result of those acts. In 2005, 276 attacks were reported, with almost 30 percent occurring in Indonesian waters. While there were no deaths reported that year, over 440 people were taken hostage by pirates, and of those, a dozen are still listed as missing. Additionally, in 2005, Iraq became a new pirate “hotspot,” with 10 attacks reported, while none had been reported in their waters in earlier years. In the first quarter of 2006, 61 reports of piracy were received by the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, which was up 8 percent from the same quarter of 2005. Modern-day piracy obviously continues to be a serious problem.

Going on Record

The Piracy Reporting Centre, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was begun in 1992 under the umbrella of the IMB. While IMB statistics strive for accuracy, the sad truth is that many more attacks actually occur but go unreported. Sometimes acts of piracy are done at the behest of rival governments; others remain unchallenged due to the nature of the piracy in question, which is typically drug-trafficking or smuggling. Many other incidents are swept away as a result of corrupt officials or governments and the fear they inspire in their victims. One particular benefit of organizations such as the IMB, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the International Shipping Federation (ISF) are the guidelines they've established for anyone traveling through a danger zone. Information about these organizations and their safety guidelines can be found at the following Web sites:

• ICS, ISF, and Piracy Reporting Centre: www.marisec.org/index.htm

• General Guidelines: www.marisec.org/piracy/general%20guidance.htm

• ICC International Crime Services: www.icc-ccs.org/main/index.php

• Yacht Piracy: www.yachtpiracy.org/en/index.htm