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Pirates, danger on the high seas, the kind of adventure most would prefer to avoid. The two areas along the African coast that the United Nations International Maritime Organization list as hot spots are Somalia and Nigeria. The Somalian coast is a huge problem for the shipping industry as its northeast coast is bordered by the Gulf of Aden at the entrance to the Red Sea one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Nigeria's coast is equally vital as they supply a significant portion of the world's oil. With ninety-five percent of the trade worldwide making at least a portion of its journey by sea the security of ships is vital to the economy of the whole world.

Though Somalia has long been a strategic place for pirating with the collapse of its government in the early nineties its coastline has become the hottest place on earth for pirating. The International Maritime Bureau, the high seas Chamber of Commerce, issued a bulletin in June that it suggests staying at least two hundred miles out from the coast of Somalia if at all possible. Many of the Somalian area pirates are dressed in uniforms and masquerade as Coast Guard. They are often heavily armed with rocket launchers, grenades and small arms. Kidnapping, cargo theft and equipment theft are all equally involved. The world became aware when a Carnival Cruise ship was attacked in 2005. The well trained crew stayed off the pirates with injuries to staff only.

Nigeria is the hotspot on the West Coast of Africa. Lagos is one of Africa's largest ports and a gateway for West African trade. Its safety and security affects the lives of millions. Here the attacks are often in port while at anchor. Kidnapping for ransom and equipment seem to be the main targets.

The number of pirate attacks has gone down over the last several years, but the efficiency and deadliness of the attacks has risen dramatically. A whole new branch of maritime security has emerged. Using drone planes to scout out the route ahead is now commonplace for larger vassals. Electronic fences to surround the ship or boat in order to thwart those who wish to board uninvited. The United Nations has stepped up training of coast guard forces for individual African Nations.

The world has become a smaller place. Pirating affects us all in that world economic stability is a multifaceted tapestry which can become compromised with the pulling out of just a few strategic threads. It's not the Jolly Roger anymore.

All statistics drawn and confirmed from these resources
http://www.unitednati onsmaritimeorganization.org
htt p://www.internationalmaritimeb ureau.com

Learn more about this author, Betsy Young.
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