Who are the Somali Pirates?

In the last few years the news has been filled with the exploits of the Somali pirates. This week reports filtered in that the pirates had killed four American sailors who were distributing bibles on their trip around the world in a private yacht. As the pirates don’t belong to a particularly observant Muslim population, religion is not believed to have been the impetus behind the deaths.

Who are these pirates and what is their motivation?

Broken Country, Free Reign

Somalia has been involved in a civil war since 1991. The government is unstable; war lords rule much of the land. In this environment it is no surprise that the pirates have made such headway. Four major groups function in Somali waters, each following the same basic plan.

Fast speed boats approach vessels traveling through the local waters. Usually the attacks take place on individual crafts. The sides of the craft are scaled and the crew overwhelmed; the people and boat are held for ransom. At this time it is estimated that the pirates hold over 30 boats and 660 individuals.

Popular and Profitable

Although some pirates claim to be taking over boats to prevent illegal fishing and dumping of waste in Somali waters, the primary goal is really profit. It is believed that the pirates took in at least $238 million in ransoms during 2010. The activity has become so popular that a stock market of sorts has sprung up, allowing investors to buy in on future assaults and the attached profits.

Protection is Erratic

For the independent sailor, traveling through Somali waters is a dangerous proposition. A number of guides offering suggestions as to how to prevent or resist pirate attacks exist and are well distributed, but private boat owners are encouraged to travel in groups in popular shipping lanes, to decrease the likelihood of attack.

One thing that has come out of the increasing number of piratical attacks is that a multi-national fleet has come together to patrol the most affected waters. The general opinion is that the only thing that will finally control the attacks is if Somalia manages to pull out of its current war and form a strong central government again.

Michael Rupkalvis owns the Transaction group. The Transaction Group offers internet merchant accounts
and other credit card merchant account
solutions for all types of businesses.