Saturday, August 27, 2011

Pirate Attacks Increase, but Fewer Ships Taken

by Mike Hall, Aug 27, 2011

We’ve brought you several stories on high seas piracy, especially in the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, and described how the Seafarers (SIU) and global maritime unions are responding, including the “Save Our Seafarers” (SOS), anti-piracy campaign to push governments to do more to protect sailors and ships.

A new report shows attacks totaled 266 in the first six months of 2011, up from 196 incidents in the same period last year. But the pirates have captured fewer ships due to an increased naval presence in the troubled areas, one of the key elements that international seafaring unions pressed for with the SOS program.

Click here to read an update on the problems from the Seafarers LOG and here for more on the SOS program.