Somali pirates attack for the first time in monsoon season

Conventional wisdom dictated that Somali pirates would not attack ships in the rough Indian Seas during monsoon season.

Not anymore.

The International Maritime Bureau reported that pirates opened fire in attacks during the monsoons last month.

The main reason for the bolder actions is that they now have the capability of launching attacks from so-called mother ships which are much larger and faster than what they had in the past.

The IMB reported that worldwide piracy jumped up 36 percent to 266 attacks during the first six months of 2011 compared to the same time last year. 163 of the attacks, or 61 percent, were by Somalis mainly in the Arabian Sea. 125 attacks occurred off the Somali coast, 20 in the Gulf of Aden and 18 in the Red Sea. May had the highest number of attacks with 57.

At least 23 vessels and 420 crew members are being held for ransom under Somali control.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle