AAAARRRRGGGGH! Pirates on the High Seas---2011

For me, it's all about pirates these days. 

Not the ones downloading software in the back bedroom, not the Johnny Depp kind in the Caribbean, and not Peter Pan and Captain Hook.

No, I'm busy learning about the ones plying the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and the coast of Somalia.  Seems that the US media has lost interest in the Somali pirates ever since the Maersk Alabama hijacking ended in that dramatic military operation last year.  It may surprise you to know, then, that the Somali pirates are still busily interrupting the international shipping lanes coming out of the Arabian gulf and through the Indian Ocean.  Here's a link to a live piracy map showing incidents of assaults on ships, illegal boardings, and hijackings. According to the International Maritime Bureau, there are RIGHT NOW 518 persons being held hostage by Somali pirates, along with 26 vessels.  These are astonishing statistics.  Just yesterday, May 10, the following incident was reported:  10.05.2011: 1100 UTC: Posn: 17:34N - 058:00E, around 235nm east of Salalah, oman (Off Somalia).
Pirates in two skiffs armed with RPG and guns chased and fired upon a bulk carrier underway. Master raised alarm, SSAS activated, increased speed, took evasive manoeuvres and contacted warship for assistance. Due to the aggressive manoeuvres, the pirates aborted the attempted attack. The ship and crewmembers are safe.

Fortunately, there is a broad international network that is working on the issue, and continues to meet and address the problem.  Looking at the IMB map, however, you see that this is not a problem limited to the Somali coast.  Rather, it is worldwide in scope. 

In my new job, I expect to get involved in this issue, and work with the outstanding men and women and agencies that have come together to address it.  AAAARRRRRGH!