The Somali pirates have been very busy this year, astonishingly busy. In addition to the Ukrainian transport with its 33 Russian made T-72 tanks (and ammunition) they've attached 60 other ships this year alone, 17 in the first two weeks of september. Evidently the Somalis are currently holding for ransom "14 oil tankers, cargo vessels and other ships with a total of more than 300 crew members."

Last year there were only 13 ships attacked in this part of the world. Clearly, more Somalis view piracy as a lucrative enterprise.

Seems as if a convoy system needs to be employed.

Charley Noble