Piracy
Although Piracy is often seen as a problem of the past, it still remains an issue facing sailors today.
Piracy has steadily been on the increase around the world since the 1970s and has today reached a level which cannot be ignored.
In 1983, the MSC (Maritime Safety Committee) at the IMO, reviewed the situation concerning Piracy. Legal problems encountered were such that attacks in a home port or within Territorial waters were not considered Acts of Piracy and were subject to treatment by local law as armed robbery. This led to the establishment of ‘Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships’ report as a work in progress amongst the concerned IMO committees.
Piracy and armed robbery against yachts continues to be a hazard in some parts of the World.
Documents:
- Yachting Piracy Bulletin (Updated Oct 2013)
- World Sailing Piracy Update September 2022
- IMO Security Guidelines