These pirates are part of a multi-million pound “business” from the lawless north east of Somalia. Hijacks have more than doubled recently, with gangs securing huge ransoms from shipping companies.

Using three main coastal towns as their bases, the pirates set off in
their “mother ship”, normally a trawler, and head out into the Indian
Ocean.

In the old days they would stay firmly within sight of land. But now,
armed with hand-held global positioning systems and satellite phones,
they can travel almost 900 miles and into major shipping lanes.

Once a vessel is spotted, fast “skiff” boats powered by big Yahama
outboard engines are launched. Pirates, armed with AK47 rifles and
rocket propelled grenade launchers, throw metal ladders with hooks on
to its decks and board. The skipper of the vessel will then be ordered
to Somalia. With small yachts, the pirates force the skipper to contact
relatives on their own satellite phone and negotiate a ransom.

This may take weeks or even months. If the pirates think it is safe,
captives will be hidden in the mountains until a ransom is paid and
they are freed.

Hostages are not usually harshly treated but it can be an unpleasant, frightening experience.

Feb 2008: Capt Colin Darch of Devon seized as his ship attacked. Released unharmed after 46 days.

Nov 2008: Two pirates die as HMS Cumberland rescues Danish vessel from attack in Gulf of Aden.

Nov 2008: Supertanker Sirius Star hijacked off Mombasa. Freed after owners pay ?2m ransom.

Nov 2008: Maersk, world’s largest ship firm, sends tankers round Cape of Good Hope to avoid pirates.

Mar 2009: Ship carrying 1,000 Britons on roundworld cruise makes
emergency call after “suspicious” activity from two small pirate craft.

April 2009: British ship Malaspina Castle hijacked.

April 2009: British cruise liner passengers fight off pirates trying to hijack ship in the Indian Ocean.

Source: Mirror

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• Somali pirates seized a Spanish ship is entitled to have

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    Somali pirates warned on Monday they would kill the crew of a Chinese bulk carrier if China’s navy attempted to wrest control of the vessel from them.

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    Somali pirates warned on Monday they would kill the crew of a Chinese bulk carrier if China’s navy attempted to wrest control of the vessel from them. In a statement read to Reuters over the phone, one of the pirates holding the 25 crew members of the coal ship De

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    Somali pirates have released the Greek-owned ship MV Delvina, a Kenyan maritime official said on Thursday.

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    Somali pirates attacked one Taiwanese fishing vessel, injuring one Indonesian crew member, and took control of another, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday. The pirates chased the Jui Man Fa and fired shots at the vessel, hitting one man in the leg, late Wednesday evening, MOFA said.