Michelle Commiskey
Mar. 20, 2009
12:38pm
Whoever believes that pirates died out long ago, are wrong. Pirates have struck again. A Greek cargo ship was captured Thursday off the coast of Somalia. Albamar Shipping’s “Titan” was attacked in the Gulf of Aden on its way to South Korea. The ship was loaded with iron and its 24-man crew.
Over the past five years, pirating has increased in the waters of Somalia. Somali fisherman have come to realize that piracy is much more lucrative than their current occupations. In 2008, pirates attacked almost 100 vessels—40 of them being off the coast of Somalia. The increase in pirating crime has raised international concern because of its severity and difficulty to prevent. In response to the increase in piracy, last week Japan set two destroyers on an anti-piracy mission near Somalia.
I can definitely see this problem increasing. What with our sinking economy affecting the economies of other nations, piracy could be seen as an option out. Think about it for a second: no more responsibilities---just you, your boat, a crew, and no rules.
I am not advocating turning pirate, however. If everyone were to turn to that path it would be anarchy. It could easily destroy our way of life. With everyone pillaging each other and spending time chartering the seas, what would happen to food production? Healthcare? Technology? Industry?
These pirates have chosen to give up living on land for a life with no course. That’s all well and fine. Who wouldn’t want to sail the world at their leisure? But when these pirates interfere with others lifestyle and international commerce, that’s when a problem arises. In the modern world, you are not free to do whatever you want. There are societal rules.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/03/20/pirates.greece.somalia/
1 comment:
I think this is one of the most ridiculous events to ever happen. This issue is so easy to solve. Since cargo vessels are mainly run by autopilot, not many people are needed on the ship during traveling. This makes the vessel very easy to be captured. The main reason a few rebels are able to capture a vessel is because it is illegal for the people on a cargo ship to carry weapons. Allow them to carry weapons and lets see how the pirating decreases.....
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