Real Pirates
Piracy on the high seas, in particular off the coast of Somalia, has been on the rise in recent years. Typically, a small group of pirates in a speedboat, armed with automatic weapons, boards a cargo ship, luxury cruise liner, or other vessel and holds the ship and crew for ransom.
There were 293 incidents in 2008, with 11 crew members killed. One high-profile case that you may have heard about in the news involved a large Saudi oil tanker.
In response to this alarming trend, United States maritime academies that train merchant sailors have added anti-piracy courses. Students learn such skills as high-speed emergency maneuvers, ship security, and the use of high-pressure water hoses. (Seaman are prohibited by law from carrying firearms.)
(Source: Associated Press)
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