November 10, 2005: There are apparently three groups of pirates operating along the Somali coast. This has turned out to be a lucrative business, despite the number of failed attacks. The pirates have bought maritime radios, so they can listen in on the conversations between ships off the coast. The pirates have also used the radios to issue false calls for emergency assistance, to try and lure ships to within range of their speed boats. The pirates also use the radios to get a better idea of exactly where likely target ships are off the coast, or when they are going to be nearby.
Currently, merchant ships are staying further out to sea (the minimum recommended distance from the coast is now 240 kilometers). It costs ships more money to detour that far out to sea, but given the growing reach, and audacity, of the pirates, this is a small price to pay. If a ships is seized by pirates, the ransom (several hundred thousand dollars, at least) and lost revenue (millions of dollars, depending on the size of the ship and the duration of its captivity), is far more expensive. |
