Catherine Maynard
20 October 2009
.:Summary:.
A 32,000 ton british cargo ship, known as the Malaspina Castle, was taken early on Monday. Aboard was a crew of 24 people ranging in origin from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia and the Philippines. It is believed the crew is safe. Even though international security patrols have been upped recently in the Gulf of Aden this attack still occurred. It was believed that the ship was heading for Somalia's coast which happens to be overrun by modern day pirates. Few details of the attack are known and communication with the ship has yet to commence. It is believed the pirates will take the ship closer to shore and begin negotiations then. Near simultaneously the BBC reported that a ship of Taiwanese origin was also hijacked on Monday of this week. Apparently this is a reoccurring problem in the area. According to the International Maritime Bureau, around 40 of an approximate 100 boat-jackings last year happened in the same region. In Somalia these criminals are glorified, therefore piracy is a lucrative business.
.:Reaction:.
Who knew pirates still existed? I certainly did not. I find it absolutely amazing that groups of people are still able to overtake ships in a hostage like situation like they are Blackbeard or something. And why are people rewarding this? From what i remember in history classes pirates were ruthless machines that were anything but friendly and were hardly something to aspire towards. I believe that the countries whom boats are being attacked should be taking more action, and for that matter why isn't the UN jumping in? The world's crimes never cease to amaze me, and neither does the amount of action or lack there of taken.
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