Somali Pirates Had a Great 2009
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Somali pirates win the year! The edgy folk heroes of the high seas have seized a Greek cargo ship and a British tanker, closing out the year on a strong, piratey note. They're in the record books, folks!
In 2007, Somali pirates attacked like 50-odd ships. Last year, they attacked 111. And this year, the NYT reports, they absolutely outdid themselves:
The Piracy Reporting Center of the International Maritime Bureau said Tuesday that pirates operating across the Gulf of Aden and along the coast of Somalia have attacked 214 vessels so far this year, resulting in 47 hijackings. Twelve of those ships, with a total of 263 crew members, are currently being held for ransom by the pirates.
Whether you're a superstar athlete or a janitor or a Somali pirate, be the best you can be. Here's to an even more terrifying 2010!