http://uniorb.com/ATREND/piracy.

htm MOST ATTACKS: Known as paradise for pirates, Indonesia waters and the Straits of Malacca have claimed 40% of the worldwide pirate attacks in 2004. Although sea piracy has tripled in the past 10 years around the world, the Straits of Malacca was ranked as the most dangerous sea route, according to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). With 200 to 600 ships crossing the Straits daily, this narrow channel with forested shorelines and islet hideaways offers pirates amble opportunities to ransack, kidnap or kill the crew, and worse still, hijack the vessel. The high-sea criminals seemed to increase their daring assaults at will for almost a year - outrunning, outmaneuvering and even outwitting the concerted military patrols of three nations: Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

STATS:The International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates only half of pirate attacks were ever reported due to the following reasons - fear of ship's reputation being marred; protracted, time-consuming investigation; and raising ship's insurance premiums. For commercial shipping vessels to run smoothly, whether transporting cargo, passengers or supplies to other ships, depends mainly on two important factors: time and cost. Therefore, the ship always takes the shortest path to its destination, for delays would result in skyrocketing price of cargo or extensive operation cost.

PRECAUTIONS:As for the present precarious environment at sea, individual vessels can seek onboard solutions to provide for their own security. Besides the current use of floodlights and fire hoses for defense on vessels, many methods are promoted to fight against increasingly dangerous pirates. Electrified railings and automatic water shields would make it more difficult for pirates to climb aboard. Bridges equipped with cameras and voice recorders could assist in identifying the high-sea criminals. Shiploc, a technological device, uses a satellite tracking system to monitor the ship's location and alert proper authority when the ship's under an attack. UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) could be used to monitor large areas around the ship. Moreover, sea marshals and non-lethal weapons, such as stun grenades, pepper spray, slippery foam dispensers, electromagnetic or pulse weapons, could be employed to battle against the pirates.

Piracy
If you are travelling in your own yacht or boat you should be aware of the risk of piracy in some areas. Piracy has recently been reported in the following areas:

The Indian Ocean, particularly off the coast of the Horn of Africa

Off the coasts and on rivers of some South American countries The Malacca Straits South China Sea The Red Sea

If you are attacked

Report the incident to the nearest British Embassy, the relevant naval authorities, the relevant law enforcement authorities and the IMB Piracy Reporting Office in Kuala Lumpur. The contact details are to the right. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/staying-safe/river-safety/