More Pirates...

I think that's using the term losely. Sounds more like an armed robbery that happened to take place on a yacht. Give them credit for at least going where the money is, but they don't sound like criminal masterminds.

Nothing that a 12 gauge with OO buck wouldn't make short order of!

What is piracy if not robbery on boats?

These stories always seem to bring out the 3rd grade macho bravado on these threads, yet it seems like those actually in the situation did neither, same as the vast majority of victims of piracy. Anybody with half a brain knows that your life is not about to get less complicated if you kill someone in a foreign land, and there's nothing cool about it. Let's grow up. Those who have do the deed don't talk, and those who talk would generally stain their underwear.

As I said, it fits the definition, but I don't consider some poor slob who needs to rob people to live in the same class as the Somalie pirates who steal ships and hold their cargo and passengers for ransom, nor Blackbeard. If a multi-million dollar yacht hadn't presented itself as an attractive target I suspect these guys would have been rolling a drunk. Obviously the yacht's owner considers it about that serious as well since it appears he's not persuing the matter.

Come on!
Using "Piracy" to describe this is simply seeking attention to yourself and the incident. The fact is these guys were opportunistic thieves who happened to use a boat to get to a place that they could rob.
Piracy is an organised expedition with crew. Your post may add to the damage done to a wonderful location populated with very hospitable people. Save this alarmist "PIRACY!" headline for a real issue of the crime.
Give it a break.

But I can...
The headline quoted piracy. It's what sells newspapers. Awakening to personal security, I'm sure the crew that repelled the boarders got excited to some extent. May not have used proper terms either. Big and/or little things like this can be called many things; Piracy, robbers, bad guys, Poor bums lost their way....
Step on my deck uninvited... anywhere in this world,,, you're a fair (great) target. I'm not going to ask them why they're there or how they feel about world events,. Not even going to call them pirates or bad names (well some) to ease the minds of the soft hearted..

Turtles and sharks got to eat too; Plug em!!!

In the 10 years I have been in this forum, I have said just this many a time;
Don't tread on me or mine.

And in all fairness, I have upset a few with that attitude. Don't take it personal,,, unless your on my deck uninvited.
,rc

NEO56, in your short time on YachtForums you've shown a propensity for bombastic posts and popping off to senior members. That kind usually doesn't last too long here.

If 4 people board my boat with knives in hand and are un-welcomed. I am not going to assume they are boarding me to just borrow some eggs and cheese and the knives are to eat breakfast. I also am certainly not going to see if they just want my ipad or whether or not they plan on tieing everyone up and slitting everyones throats. I am going to do my job as Captain and protect the safety of the crew, guests, myself, and the boat and I am going to neutralize the problem, even if that means using blunt and deadly force, no questions asked. Perhaps you would sit there and be at their mercy, but I certaintly will not be, nor would any other logical person. To board a vessel armed, takes pre-meditation, and also means they also are prepared for a confrontation.

NEO, I would hope you have the wherewithal to see that a dictionary or Wikipedia explanation on "Piracy" is not a response. If not, keep posting for the sake of just...posting.

When you've got an argument about the appropriateness of a word choice a dictionary is absolutely an adequate resource to make an argument that will sway reasonable people. Most murderers aren't like OJ Simpson or Ted Bundy, though that sort of person may be archetypal for murder. Similarly most pirates aren't Jack Sparrow or the Somalis. Most pirates are small time criminals of opportunity striking out in small boats with weapons in hand.

What makes them stand out is that boats are so accessible and the boating community so trust based. Walk the dock in any marina and you will find a whole lot of unlocked boats with expensive gear onboard. Walk the parking lot of the same marina and you will find lots of locked cars. There is a real functional difference between being held up on land and being held up at sea, and that's why pirate is the appropriate term, even if they don't rise to the level of planning and resources that some of the more notable examples have.

If you walk into a store and steal a piece of candy, a prosecutor out to get you will charge you with a dozen different offenses. The cops may even shoot you, justifying their action by saying you made a "furtive movement". Thechnically they're correct because your actions fit the definitions. But you've still only stuck a piece of candy in your pocket without paying for it.
This thread, along with several of the comments, is rediculous. It's a non-story.