This week the John Pirie observes a suspicious looking vessel from afar. They are not sure as to the type of vessel, but suspect it is a pirate or slave ship. The John Pirie hoisted their colours to avoid an attack, and fortunately the unknown vessel sailed out of sight without causing trouble.
Piracy is not a thing of the past and still exists today. The International Maritime Bureau defines piracy as “the act of boarding any vessel with an intent to commit theft or any other crime, and with an intent or capacity to use force in furtherance of that act.” Piracy affects trade and costs the shipping and oil industries billions of dollars each year. Everyone is affected by piracy, including you!