About Pirates

Pirates have a long history of violence and ship thievery. The height of piracy took place between the 16th and 19th centuries, when vessels traveling between Europe and the New World were hijacked, robbed or destroyed on a large-scale basis. To this day, pirates continue to seize vessels under the threat of death, prompting many nations to act in joint operations to stem attacks.

Function

According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, enacted in 1982, pirates are those who commit acts of violence or detention on a private ship or aircraft. Pirates attack other ships, aircraft or persons for the purpose of securing property. The act of inciting piracy is also considered a crime.

History

The earliest known pirates operated in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, raiding Greek and Roman vessels to secure their goods. In one such incident, Julius Caesar was kidnapped and held for ransom.
Vikings and Arab forces committed various acts of piracy throughout the Middle Ages, spreading fear across Europe and North Africa.
When the New World was discovered, a new age of piracy was born. As shipping across the Atlantic increased, some vessels voyaged solo or in small groups. This allowed for large fleets of pirates to operate unchallenged from the American to European coasts. The Caribbean proved especially vibrant for their operations. Famous pirates such as Blackbeard were legendary for their daring exploits.

Features

Pirates operate on large ships, heavily armed for combat. They often pull up alongside another vessel and either open fire or broadcast their intentions to board.
Pirates generally travel in large bands under the leadership of a captain. The traditional punishment for those caught committing acts of piracy was once death. Pirates are now treated as terrorists and punished accordingly.

Significance

During the heyday of piracy in the Caribbean, Spanish and English navies created entire chains of command specifically geared toward catching pirates.

Considerations

Areas such as Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean have resurfaced as trouble spots for seaborne transportation. According to the United Nations, nearly $16 billion worth of goods are either captured or sunk due to pirates every year. No place has become more ripe with piracy than the coast of Somalia. Hundreds of ships, including oil tankers and military cargo ships, have been attacked or seized start the start of the 21st century. This has prompted a large-scale operation supported by the United Nations to reign in the terror being spread across the region. NATO ships have mobilized, along with the navies of other nations, such as the Chinese.

Resources

• National Geographic Pirate Site
• Pirate History
• Modern Marauders