Piracy is defined by the International Maritime Bureau as "an act of boarding any ship with the intent to commit theft or any other crime". Piracy is still a fact in the 21st century.

Pirate attacks are usually against larger ships. In 2011 there were 266 incidents in just the first half of the year. The worst location is the Arabian Sea where most attacks by Somalia pirates take place.

In 1998, 67 crew members were killed. In 1999 there were 285 incidents and the problem is growing. Nearly two thirds of all piracy attacks are in Asia, over one third were in the waters around Indonesia alone. In April 2000 14 divers in Sipidan were held hostage by pirates/mercenaries, some were released 4 months later and the authorities used the army to rescue the others after 5 months. Piracy occurs where law enforcement is weak, shipping is concentrated, and usually at night when at anchor.

The pirates board over the stern, out of sight of the bridge. They leave using small highly powered craft too small to be picked up on radar. By the time the authorities have arrived the pirates are long gone.

Not surprisingly they are after money. The crews 3 months wages may seem a nice figure from someone living in an industrialised country, but it is a fortune to someone from a less developed nation.

More information: ICC International Maritime Bureau.