Modern Day Piracy...A Threat to Cruisers?

Modern-day pirate activity is a persistent and often overlooked issue in various parts of the world. While piracy has historically been associated with parrot-owning, eye-patch-wearing, swashbuckling buccaneers on the high seas, it remains a real concern in the present day, especially in regions like the United States and parts of Central America.

Today, pirate hotspots aren’t confined to the romanticized image of the Caribbean (think…Jack Sparrow). Today, regions like the Gulf of Mexico and the coast of Central America have become infamous for pirate activity. These waters see a mix of traditional seafaring criminals, drug cartels, and organized crime groups, all vying for control of specific areas or maritime trade routes.

When we cruised down from Florida earlier this year, we took precautions due to recent pirate activity on the route that we were going to be taking. About two weeks before we pushed off, there were two pirate attacks on boaters while they were anchored in Las Perlas, Panama. In both of these cases, men armed with machetes and guns boarded the vessels, tied up the occupants, and proceeded to violently tear apart the boats, stealing valuables like electronics, jewelry, cash, gasoline, and more.

A warning we received from one of our cruiser groups

We decided that being at anchor, especially at night, was too great a risk so instead we opted to stay in transient slips at marinas. This was definitely a more expensive option (since dropping the anchor is free) but it was a worthy cost to ensure the safety of ourselves and our crew onboard. We also knew that we needed to use extreme caution while going through the Nicaraguan cost, and as fate and timing would have it, we came upon this area in the middle of the night. We knew we needed to keep moving through, so we went dark. Completely dark. We shut off all of our interior lights, our running lights, and our AIS, and we went through at 2:00 a.m. We could not have done this if we did not have a Captain who had both guts and skills. All of our heart rates went up, and there was definitely an eerie silence until we were in the clear. Another memorable moment that we won’t soon forget.

For much of our cruise, we rarely saw another boat. Once we crossed to the Pacific, we saw far more traffic, mostly local fishermen in pangas. In these waters that are usually frequented by sportfishers, I’m sure they were quite curious about a large motor yacht cruising the coastline. Our smiles and waves were exuberantly returned by these fishermen, happily breaking up their routine of laying nets and patiently waiting to pull them up. At one point, a larger (maybe 30-foot) boat with multiple passengers started to approach us. John and I were on watch at the time. After John sounded the alarm and everyone was visible on our bridge, the boat quickly changed course and went the other direction. Did they have ill intentions? Did they want to sell us fish, or trade for other goods?

We will never know. The entire scenario played out in less than five minutes, but the adrenaline spike took quite a bit longer to wear off!

Our route. We went "dark" off of the coast of Nicaragua due to recent piracy acts

Understanding why modern piracy thrives in these areas requires a closer look at the underlying motivations. Economic struggles, political instability, and a lack of viable alternatives often drive individuals and groups to piracy. In some cases, pirates engage in various illicit activities, including smuggling drugs, arms, and even human trafficking. Modern pirates come in various forms. These groups employ a range of tactics, from armed raids to cyberattacks on shipping companies. The large super-freighters that we crossed the canal with take significant precautions against these modern-day pirate attacks, primarily protecting their computer systems against hackers.

The consequences of modern piracy extend beyond the ships and their crews. These activities have a profound impact on local communities. In Central America, where fishing is a significant source of income, pirate fishermen can deplete fish stocks, threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen. Similarly, piracy in tourist-rich areas disrupts the local economy, deterring visitors and causing economic hardship for the communities that are already financially challenged.

Governments and international organizations are not sitting idly by in the face of modern piracy. Various nations have launched joint maritime patrols and initiatives to combat piracy in their waters. The U.S. Coast Guard, for instance, has intensified its efforts in the Gulf of Mexico to protect commercial vessels from pirate attacks and drug smuggling operations. Pirates who are captured often face serious legal consequences. These legal measures are vital in deterring piracy and ensuring that pirates are brought to justice, however, due to the sheer number of active pirates and the lack of resources to apprehend, sadly, many will never be caught.

When we hear the word “pirate” we may conjure up images of Disney’s version, like the evil villain Captain Hook, but sadly, the true face of modern-day piracy is not nearly as endearing…and we don’t have the benefit of having Peter Pan in our pockets.