The History Channel ran a program on July 16, 2007 and again on July 25, 2007 with many facts about how pirates are rampant in the South Pacific, murdering, pillaging, and plundering no less than happened in the 19th Century by such as Blackbeard and his crews and others who had no regard for human life. Driven by only greed, these pirates take for profit and have no concern for human life.
Pirates still roam the seas. The South Pacific is almost a haven for these vandals. They intercept shipping, steal the cargo they can, leave the ship in shambles, and run off to sell the things they steal to buy arms and fund terrorist operations. The navies of the world are almost powerless to do anything about them. This story is about one person, one boat, and the crew who decide to do their own protection. Of course, it's illegal to do what they do, but they would rather be alive to defend themselves than dead and have no say in their defense.
I have reviewed this book pre-publication and am amazed at the intricate detail the author has gone through to give us an idea of how the pirates are willing to murder and maim the innocent crews of the ships they sail. – John Thornton, Cdr USN (ret'd)