Jolly Roger with an Uzi: The Rise and Threat of Modern Piracy Book

Far from being a thing of the past, piracy has become a real threat to all who sail the oceans, regardless of the size or type of their vessel. In the past year alone, reported pirate attacks have increased more than eighty percent--and a large number are believed to go unreported--yet few people are aware of the scope and ferocity of today's marine terrorism. This book warns seafarers of the worldwide problem and suggests actions to be taken. It is written for a broad audience, from pleasure-boat sailors and professional mariners to ocean-liner executives and government officials. Jack Gottschalk and Brian Flanagan, practicing attorneys well versed in the subject, present some memorable case studies to illustrate the problem. They call attention to the fact that no location is entirely safe, although the preponderance of reported pirate assaults occur in the waters off Indonesia, Brazil, Somalia, and in the South China Sea. They describe the modern-day pirate as motivated primarily by greed, but not necessarily part of an organized crime group. As the title of the book indicates, pirates often use high-power automatic weapons, and they escape in high-speed boats. Most plan their attacks carefully, frequently using information gained through government agencies in ports. The costs, both in terms of economic loss and deaths and injuries to seafarers, are enormous. To curtail the crime, the authors suggest U.S. policy reforms, new roles for government agencies and military and maritime enforcement units, and a redefinition of jurisdictions.Read More