Are there any real pirates about these days??

[leepassmore]

I've decided i want to be a pirate... can anyone give me asome info on modern day pirates etc.. arghhhh. fanks

[Quizmonster]

They're very common off the coast of Somalia in eastern Africa and in the Malacca Straits between Indonesia and Malaysia. Off you go and volunteer, Jim lad!

[hotpink]

if you become a pirate, we won't be able to trust you anymore! i don't have any cash.... take my watch

[jake-the-peg]

As Quizmonster says they're still pretty common.

Typically they'll boad a motor yacht with machine guns and if the occupants are lucky rob them if not kill them, dump the bodies overboard and make off with the boat.

But they've even taken on cruise liners
http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id= 2201012005

[wildwood]

Sir Peter Blake was killed by pirates on the Amazon river in 2001. Apparantly even in Brazil it is a frequently encountered 'occupation'.

[taliesin238]

Why do you want to be a pirate? Is it the glam of Pirates of the Carribean?or have u been watching too much Dodge ball? lol It sounds really cool but i dont think u would really like it!! I want to be a ninja

[Andyvon]

Hi leepassmore

I think piracy is more prevalent today than it has ever been. Most piracy takes place in the Far East where coastal communities raid shipping with small, fast boats based amongst the many small islands. The pirates climb aboard with grapnels etc. and rob crews of money and valuables.
The other dangerous areas for piracy I believe are the Caribbean and the coasts of South America. That's usually to do with drugs. The drug gangs board a yacht/cruiser, kill the owners and crew, and then use the 'clean' boat to transport drugs before abandoning it or just sinking it.

I think the Golden Age of Piracy in the 17th & 18th centuries was just as nasty and bloody but it was glorified by Hollywood for a good story. Like almost anything else Hollywood does in fact!

[Romeo]

We don't have modern pirates off the British coasts, so you could be the first! The yachting clubs off Cowes or the English Riviera will be fair game I'm sure. Get them to hand over their credit cards and pin numbers or send them to the bottom with a yo-ho-ho.

AB editor - this is a joke. I am not seriously advocating crime.

[leepassmore]

ihaha, i actually live in torquay on the english riviera and its too late me hary.. i've stolen thej royal HMS cornwall and my voyage has begun.. who dares thee stand in thy path of captain timmy o tool!!!