Modern Day Pirate Attacks
How a Maritime Attorney Can Protect Your Rights
Legends of the past are full of stories of pirate attacks on the high seas. Piracy is defined as an act of robbery or any other crime of violence that occurs at sea. Pirates are usually passengers or crew members from one ship who attack another vessel for financial or personal gain. Pirate attacks date back to the Sea Peoples in the 13th Century B.C. who operated and sailed in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.
Pirate attacks are still occurring today in more organized forms, and pose great danger to ships and crewmembers. Modern-day pirates use heavy-duty firepower such as automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades, and other tech gadgets to attack ships and seaworthy vessels. Often times, pirate weapons are specialized to their geographic location. Governments and maritime commerce companies worldwide list maritime piracy as a primary concern, and have taken measures to counter pirate attacks.
Piracy results in substantial financial loss that amounts to $13 to $16 billion lost every year. When a pirate attack occurs, most ship owners choose to not report piracy incidents because it will result in increased financial burdens and higher insurance rates. If you have been the victim of a modern-day pirate attack, you need a Texas offshore injury attorney to protect your rights as a seaman.
Modern-Day Piracy Statistics
When a pirate attack occurs, crewmembers may be kidnapped and held for ransom. Ship owners are often required to pay high ransom prices, averaging around $120,000, to help their kidnapped crew. The following statistics were compiled by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Commercial Crime Services:
- Pirate attacks tripled in the decade between 1993 and 2003, and continue to rise.
- There were a reported 397 pirate attacks from the beginning of the year through November 14, 2011.
- Modern pirates attack mostly cargo ships and fishing vessels.
- 450 hostages were taken and 15 were killed in Somalia pirate attacks alone.
If you are a crewmember who has been kidnapped by pirates, you may have the right to seek legal compensation for your injuries. Unfortunately, the current legal system does little to punish pirates who are captured, and most pirates are questioned and released. That is why it is important that you have skilled legal representation to protect your rights under maritime law.
Texas Maritime Attorney for Victims of Piracy
You may be in serious danger if the vessel you are working on is attacked by pirates. If you are a maritime worker that was subjected to piracy, or if you have lost a loved one in a pirate attack, an offshore injury attorney at Arnold & Itkin LLP can explain how you may be protected under the Jones Act or other maritime law.
Statistics show that a large percentage of pirate attacks occur on anchored ships where the pirates steal the ship, the ship's cargo, or the crewmembers belongings. The legal team at our firm has years of experience helping seamen and offshore workers who have been wronged while working for a maritime company. From helping you file a maritime claim to explaining the
types of offshore injuries, we will be with you every step of the way. At Arnold & Itkin LLP, our lawyers have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on the behalf of our clients, and we can provide you with the high-level legal representation that you need.
Contact a Texas maritime piracy attorney at our firm today.