From Times Online:
The number of attacks by pirates in trouble spots around the world more than doubled in the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year as a direct result of the surge in activity among Somalia’s pirate gangs.
According to a report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), the total number reached 240 by the end of last month, compared with 114 incidents in the first half of 2008. This means that 2009 is already a record year for piracy. The previous highest annual tally was 182 attacks, in 2004.
So far this year ships have been boarded in 78 cases and 31 vessels have been hijacked, with 561 crew taken hostage, 19 injured and 6 killed, the bureau said in its quarterly report.
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My Comment: And I predict that this year will be another banner year for the pirates. Makes you wonder what our multi-billion dollar navy is doing out there.
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