francene--blog. Year 2013
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May 19th

5/19/2013

 
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Fewer pirates prey on ships in the world's oceans this year. Naval officers monitoring piracy say nine months have elapsed since the last merchant ship was successfully hijacked. It's a far cry from the height of the piracy epidemic two years ago, when several ships might be taken in a single week to be traded for airdropped multi-million dollar ransoms.

At one point so many pirates were caught that they were dumped back on to the beaches of Somalia, the most easterly point on the African continent, adjoining Ethiopia. In 2011, at least 260,000 people died from famine, which may have driven the unscrupulous to seek other ways of keeping themselves alive.


Picturewww.cbc.ca
A French oil tanker that went missing in February near the Ivory Coast was hijacked by pirates for its cargo. One of Somalia's most notorious pirate leaders nicknamed 'big mouth', who terrorized the Indian Ocean, has since announced his retirement. A British couple, kidnapped by pirates in 2012, was released after negotiation. In June last year, they announced their intention of completing their round-the-world sailing trip.

News sources report that Somali suspects are rarely found with guns although sometimes helicopters spot them throwing things overboard. They have been found with pirate paraphernalia like grappling hooks. Most of the prisoners claim to be either economic migrants or simple fishermen, although their captured boats rarely have refrigeration or even fishing nets.

The deputy secretary general of the UN said as many as 3,000 people have died while trying to bring peace and stability to Somalia.


Picturewww.freeinfosociety.com
In the Seychelles, 17 prisoners were recently flown to a UN-funded jail in the relatively secure region of Puntland in Somalia, to serve sentences that mostly range between 10 and 20 years. 59 have already been tried and sent back.

Nowadays, hired guns used on passing ships and liners may have finally scuppered piracy in Somalia. However, a pirate is a thief.

There will always be people who take advantage of circumstances. They range from pickpockets, store thieves and jewelry thieves. Some have been raised to the status of celebrity, like the fictional Captain Jack Sparrow, or UK's Great Train robber. To my mind, the disadvantaged people in Somalia have more incentive to prey on others than most. I have no panacea to offer. I pray for world equality.


Oceana link
5/19/2013 12:02:02 am

Fascinating facts I didn't know. I also pray for peace and for a world where all are able to thrive.

Kathy Hadley link
5/19/2013 12:02:22 am

Glad to hear things are improving. :-)

Kathy

Nicola link
5/19/2013 01:12:10 am

Interesting article, I was aware of the piracy, but the updates are news to me. Agree that peace across the world is desirable...


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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