Combating Piracy - America.gov

The United States leads international efforts to combat piracy and to hold pirates accountable for criminal acts that impede trade and humanitarian aid.

Articles

Anti-Piracy Efforts Along Africa Coast

Countries Pursue Legal Cases

Global Cooperation Can Stop Pirates

U.S. Emergency Room Answers Calls

The Costs of Piracy Are Passed Along

In Focus

Mariners Ever Ready

Captain Joseph Murphy, who teaches future mariners about life at sea, talks piracy with America.gov.

Chart

Worldwide Attacks

The number of pirate attacks around the world reached 445 in 2003 and then steadily declined through 2006. Since then, the number of attacks has been increasing again.

Quiz

At what time of day are pirates most likely to attack vessels?

A. At dawn
B. At lunchtime
C. At sunset
D. On a moonless night

Learn more: Expanded International Cooperation is Needed to Combat Piracy.

The United States has done which of the following:

A. Established a formal agreement with Kenya to prosecute pirates
B. Established the Contact Group for Piracy off the Coast of Somalia
C. Led international partners to enhance naval patrols along the African coast
D. All of the above

Learn more: Taking Diplomatic Action Against Piracy.

Merchant mariners and tourists on cruise ships have fought off pirates by:

A. Using loud acoustical devices
B. Throwing tomatoes and deck chairs
C. Employing high-pressure water hoses
D. All of the above

Learn more: U.S.-China Cooperation Could Lower Ship Attacks Near Africa.

Who said piracy is a problem that affects the “international community so directly that we’re going to come together and combat it?”

A. President Barack Obama
B. Defense Secretary Robert Gates
C. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
D. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Michael Mullen

Learn more: Clinton discusses counter-piracy efforts.

Ship owners have been reluctant to allow weapons onboard their merchant vessels because:

A. Weapons could cause escalating violence at sea and pose a danger to the crew
B. Weapons could cause flammable materials or cargo to explode
C. Weapons on board could cause insurance rates to increase
D. All of the above

Learn more: Some in Shipping Industry Warm to Idea of Armed Guards.

Feature Article

U.S. Welcomes Armed Repulsion of Pirate Attack

On November 18, the United States welcomed the repulsion of a band of pirates by gunfire from a private security team on a ship off the northeastern coast of Somalia.

Q&A

Fighting Piracy in the 21st Century

Two U.S. government experts on piracy discuss international efforts to thwart pirates off Africa in two Web chats hosted by America.gov on June 30 and May 26.

Podcast

International Efforts to Fight Piracy Off of Africa

The United States is cooperating with other nations and international organizations to find new, more effective ways to deter piracy off the coast of East Africa.

Download Now (MP3)
View Transcript

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