Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Life Imitates Depp: Caribbean Piracy on Rise

Yacht crowd comes under increased attack from armed buccaneers

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2008 9:00 AM CDT

(Newser) – Pirates of the Caribbean is becoming all too real for yachters, the Los Angeles Times reports, with crime against visiting boats on the rise—and “it's becoming more violent,” one analyst says. The attacks are prompting businesses to advise caution—but they worry that overstating the problem could cause paranoia among tourists, the backbone of the region’s economy.

Some yachts in the Caribbean have been boarded by armed pirates. (Shutterstock.com)

Yachters in the Caribbean have faced increased violent crime in recent years, says an analyst. (Shutterstock.com)

This photo provided by Disney shows Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean." (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Somali Pirates Free Danish Family

Three children were among those held hostage

(NEWSER) - The Danish family held hostage by Somali pirates since February has been released and is safe. Jan Quist Johansen, his wife, their three children between the ages of 12 and 16, and two adult crew members are in “relatively good condition,” according to Denmark’s foreign ministry and the BBC , and will return home soon. Soldiers from the Puntland State of Somalia were killed in March in a failed rescue attempt, and a $3 million ransom was ultimately paid for the family’s release. More»

Lousy Weather Forecasts May Be Pirates' Fault

Scientists can't collect ocean data, ask US, Australia for help

(NEWSER) - Scientists have asked the American and Australian navies to help them deploy robots in a vast area of the Indian Ocean that pirates have made too dangerous for ordinary vessels. Deep-ocean robotic buoys play a vital role in climate change studies and weather forecasts, but researchers say pirate activity has left them with a huge blind spot, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. More»

Danish Hostages Taken to Somali Coast

Pirates will now begin trying to get a ransom

(NEWSER) - A Danish family whose yacht was hijacked by pirates is now being held along the coast of Somalia, the AP reports. Jan Quist Johansen, his wife, their three teenage children, and two crew members now likely face a lengthy ransom process. They've been moved either to land or to a heavily guarded pirate ship, but reportedly have not been harmed. More»

Pirates Kill All 4 American Hostages

US officials have killed or captured all the pirates

(NEWSER) - The four Americans on a yacht captured by Somali pirates Friday have been shot and killed by their captors, NBC News reports, and US forces killed two pirates and captured the remaining 13. Phyllis Macay, Robert Riggle and the yacht’s owners Jean and Scott Adam were captured on a round-the-world sailing trip while off the coast of Oman in the Indian Ocean. The pirates had headed toward waters between Yemen and northern Somalia. A Somali pirate said Sunday that a warship had been shadowing the yacht. More»

Somali Pirates Hijack 4 Americans

California couple on round-the-world mission since 2004

(AP) - Somali pirates yesterday hijacked a yacht with four Americans aboard, in likely retaliation for the 33-year prison sentence this week of a pirate in the hijacking of the US vessel Maersk Alabama. The yacht Quest belongs to missionaries Jean and Scott Adam, who have been sailing around the world since 2004, distributing Bibles as they go, reports the AP. A Somali pirate told the AP earlier this week that Americans would see "regrettable consequences" for the sentencing of their compatriot. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Life Imitates Depp: Caribbean Piracy on Rise

Yacht crowd comes under increased attack from armed buccaneers

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

theft • Pirates of the Caribbean • piracy • Caribbean • pirates • violent crime • armed robbery • yachts

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Somali Pirates Free Danish Family

Three children were among those held hostage

Lousy Weather Forecasts May Be Pirates' Fault

Scientists can't collect ocean data, ask US, Australia for help

Danish Hostages Taken to Somali Coast

Pirates will now begin trying to get a ransom

Pirates Kill All 4 American Hostages

US officials have killed or captured all the pirates

Somali Pirates Hijack 4 Americans

California couple on round-the-world mission since 2004

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Life Imitates Depp: Caribbean Piracy on Rise

Yacht crowd comes under increased attack from armed buccaneers

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

theft • Pirates of the Caribbean • piracy • Caribbean • pirates • violent crime • armed robbery • yachts

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Somali Pirates Free Danish Family

Three children were among those held hostage

Lousy Weather Forecasts May Be Pirates' Fault

Scientists can't collect ocean data, ask US, Australia for help

Danish Hostages Taken to Somali Coast

Pirates will now begin trying to get a ransom

Pirates Kill All 4 American Hostages

US officials have killed or captured all the pirates

Somali Pirates Hijack 4 Americans

California couple on round-the-world mission since 2004

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?