Out of the Past

Somali pirates have seized a large luxury yacht. Apparently this isn't an unusual occurrence.....

Somali coastal waters are among the world's most hazardous, with more than 25 ships seized by pirates in 2007.

I wondered how this sort of thing is handled by the international community. I found this from the UN......

On the high seas, or in any other place outside the jurisdiction of any State, every State may seize a pirate ship or aircraft, or a ship or aircraft taken by piracy and under the control of pirates, and arrest the persons and seize the property on board. The courts of the State which carried out the seizure may decide upon the penalties to be imposed, and may also determine the action to be taken with regard to the ships, aircraft or property, subject to the rights of third parties acting in good faith.

But not just anyone can chase down pirates.....

A seizure on account of piracy may be carried out only by warships or military aircraft, or other ships or aircraft clearly marked and identifiable as being on government service and authorized to that effect.

Frankly, I'm a bit surprised it doesn't happen more often. Those gigantic cruise ships would be fat targets.