THE LUCRATIVE PIRACY BUSINESS CONTINUES IN THE WATERS OFF SOMALIA

Somali pirates have hijacked another vessel, this time an Egyptian vessel on Thursday 4^th September 2008, this latest hijacking increases the total number of vessels being held in the waters of the failed state of Somalia to an estimated ten.

Andrew Mwangura, head of the Mombasa, Kenya based Seafarers Assistance Programme, informed the media:

“The nationality of the crew members, the size and type of ship and the destination of the ship isn’t clear yet.”

Meanwhile, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which operates the worldwide piracy incident reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stated it was aware of reports on the case, but it had not, as yet, been notified of the seizure by the vessel’s operators.

[Update:

The yacht hijacked yesterday was reported to be French-owned, and carried Venezuela-flag, the two persons on board are thought to be residents French Polynesia.]

Up to date, this year, 2008, Somali pirates have hijacked a total about 30 vessels, in extracting large ransoms for ship-owners for the safe return of the ship and crew.

This weakness in giving in to extortion by paying ransoms has simply fuelled the problem, by providing lucrative monetary incentives for the growing number of Somali pirates.

Ahmed Saed Ow-Nur, (Puntland’s minister for fisheries and marine resources), has stated:

“We have no power to control the multiplying numbers of pirates.

Even some of the Puntland police are involved in piracy, because they can make a hell of a lot of money.”

Noli nothis permittere te terere

Don't let the bastards get you down

Ne cede malis

Yield not to evils