Piracy Today: Fighting Villainy on the High Seas - Hardcover

John C. Payne

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 157409291X ISBN 13: 9781574092912

Publisher: Sheridan House, 2010

Synopsis

Modern piracy is a billion-dollar business that takes advantage of inadequate international law, lax enforcement and under-staffed ships. Gangs armed with AK-47s and small rocket launchers have been emboldened by recent successes and are demanding--and often receiving six-figure ransoms. Theft of cargo and rocketing insurance premiums means the cost of transporting goods is rising, not to mention the increased physical danger to mariners in all corners of the globe. In this eye-opening account, respected author and seaman John C. Payne lift the veil on modern piracy, detailing hundreds of very real and frightening accounts up until now. The recent hijacking of the MAERSK ALABAMA by Somali pirates merely brought worldwide attention to an issue that has been simmering for years.

About this title

About the Author

John C. Payne is a cruising sailor and professional marine electrical engineer and surveyor with a 28-year career in merchant shipping and the offshore oil industry. His unique combination of technical know-how and practical experience at sea has made him a much sought-after authority.

From the Back Cover

Modern piracy has nothing to do with Jack Sparrow or the romanticized mercenaries of popular culture. It is a billion-dollar business that takes advantage of inadequate international law, lax enforcement and under-staffed ships. Gangs armed with AK-47s and small rocket launchers have been emboldened by recent successes and are demanding and often receiving six-figure ransoms. Theft of cargo and rocketing insurance premiums mean the cost of transporting goods is rising, not to mention the increased physical danger to mariners in all corners of the globe. In this eye-opening account, respected author and seaman John C. Payne lifts the veil on modern piracy, detailing hundreds of very real and frightening accounts up until now. The recent hijacking of the Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates merely brought worldwide attention to an issue that has been simmering for years.Piracy has never gone away, and has become even more pervasive in the 21st century, where smaller crews man more technologically advanced ships. Vagaries of jurisdiction and the vast oceans make pirates harder to capture and bring to justice. In safe havens like Somalia and the Malacca Straits, they are a menace to ships of any type. What is being done about them, and what more can be done? What precautions can you take with your own yacht? Payne brings decades of experience to bear on this threat to every sailor.

Edition details

• Publisher: Sheridan House
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 157409291X
• ISBN 13: 9781574092912
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320